Democracy on Trial in Tarrant County: Freedom of Speech and Voting Rights Are on the Line

By Nisie

August 14, 2026

 Host of the 817-podcast EJ Carrion, Charged with hindering proceedings and disrupting a meeting

Tarrant County has emerged as a pivotal battleground for voting rights and freedom of speech before the upcoming November midterms. This week, tensions came to a head when host of the 817-podcast EJ Carrion was arrested for disrupting a commissioner’s court meeting last week while delivering his public comment. While speaking to the commissioners’ court, Carrion slipped up and used an expletive while speaking against cutting voting locations by 44%; he recognized his mistake and left the meeting without incident. But a week later, he would still find himself handcuffed, arrested, and thrown into the Tarrant County Jail. Many community members have expressed concern, characterizing the incident as both an affront to freedom of speech and a threat to voting rights in Tarrant County. Some even dare to call “bull” on the surprising decision to arrest Carrion after the fact. 

Since Tim O’Hare was elected Tarrant County judge, the commissioners court has been an increasingly contentious state. Back in 2025, after clapping for a speaker, Charles Hermes was arrested and charged with hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct; the charges were later dropped, but the incident would become a catalyst for the increasingly authoritarian environment in Tarrant County. Then on February 10, 2026, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved new rules that reduce public speaking time and restrict discussion topics during meetings. The new rules also gave County Judge Tim O’Hare the authority to cut speaking time to just one minute if 50 or more people showed up to a meeting. Open session or open discussion was completely restricted altogether. Because of these rules, community members who attend the meetings to speak are often silenced by the restrictions. 

The same day the new rules that cut speaking time were imposed, O’Hare ordered Doyle Fine, EJ Carrion, and Alexander Montalvo to be removed from the courtroom after they criticized him. On August 4, 2026, during a commissioner’s court meeting about cutting voting locations, tensions continued to rise after Tim O’Hare disrupted the meeting by clearing out entire galleries for minor offenses such as giggling and clapping. Then, after picking up the microphone to speak, former Texas state Representative Lon Burnam was arrested – dragged away by police and charged with disruption of a meeting or procession. A week later, the Tarrant County District Attorney subsequently filed formal charges against EJ Carrion from that session. Carrion was charged with hindering proceedings and disrupting a meeting - a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both the fine and jail time.

Allysa Simmons is running against Tim O’Hare for Tarrant County Judge. O’Hare has not commented on the latest incident. Still, Simmons had this to say: County leaders having constituents who publicly challenged county leadership arrested sends a chilling message to every resident considering whether to come to Commissioners Court to speak out: criticize your government, and you could find yourself in handcuffs. That is unacceptable.” You can find the entire statement on her Facebook Page @Allysa Simmons.  

Starting with the mid-decade redistricting bid by Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and continuing with the recent attempt to reduce the number of polling places by 44%, it is clear that Republicans are desperate to retain control. Without regard to the integrity of elections here or nationally, Republicans on the Tarrant County commissioners court have shown they will stop at nothing to stay afloat in the rising blue wave, using scare tactics like the threat of jail as life preservers.

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, retaining the integrity of our elections benefits every voter. But Tarrant County residents have made it clear they won’t be silenced into submission by any elected official and are showing up to long, contentious commissioner court and school board meetings and demonstrations like the one seen yesterday outside the Tarrant County courthouse. 

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