In a preview clip of Friday's "Ruthless" podcast," Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to create up to eight new seats for his party if Democratic state lawmakers don't return.

The redistricting battle in Texas continues to escalate as Republican Gov. Greg Abbott urged the state Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu, the chairman of the Texas House Democratic caucus. Abbott argued that Wu has "forfeited" his office by fleeing the state along with other Democratic lawmakers to prevent the quorum necessary for Texas House to vote on enacting the new GOP-proposed congressional map -- with Republican control of the U.

The FBI will help Texas track down Democratic state lawmakers who left the state as part of a collective effort to thwart state Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts, Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn said on Thursday.