If it's Monday, the redistricting fight in Texas intensifies, with Democrats fleeing the state to stop the legislature's work, and a deadline set by Governor Greg Abbott to force them to return or face serious consequences just expired.

Plus, the White House defends the president's surprise firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner over Friday's weaker than expected jobs report, as the President doubles down on his claims, minus any evidence, that the government's data was somehow rigged to make him look bad.

And special envoy Steve Whitkoff,

has expected to brief President Trump today

after returning from Gaza

amid the intensifying humanitarian crisis in the region

and public outcry over harrowing new images

of an emaciated hostage being held by Hamas.

Music hostage being held by Hamas. Welcome to meet the press now.

I'm Kelly O'Donnell in Washington.

We begin with breaking news in and out of Texas, where Governor Abbott's 3 p.m.

local, 4 p.m. Eastern deadline for Democratic lawmakers to return to the state has now elapsed.

The governor is threatening to remove those elected officials from office, in addition to hitting

them with fines and the potential to file charges. But it's

unclear if he has the legal authority to do so. Democrats, meanwhile, show no signs of backing down

or returning to the Lone Star State as they vow to fight Abbott's order while hunkered down

in blue states under the protection of governors like Illinois's J.B. Pritzker

and New York's Kathy Hokel. The escalating standoff comes after dozens of Texas Democratic House

members fled Texas to block the start of a special legislative session. Without them in attendance,

there is not the quorum that is needed to start official business.

The move prevents Republicans from moving forward with a Trump-backed plan to draw new lines for the

state's congressional districts. Those new lines for each district would likely favor Republicans

...