LOVING COUNTY, TEXAS — The Texas attorney general has brought a civil lawsuit against an Indiana man who is accused of offering housing to people if they help him “overthrow” the local government in a rural, sparsely populated county in the Lone Star State.
According to a news release, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Loving County against Crawfordsville native Malcolm Tanner, who is accused of violating public health requirements outlined in the Texas Health & Safety Code by soliciting “followers” to join him in Loving County, where he reportedly purchased two five-acre tracts of land in January.
Paxton said the land does not have any functioning utilities, posing a health risk as women and children have been invited to inhabit the land without proper sewage facilities being in place. In addition to the civil lawsuit, Paxton has also filed a Temporary Restraining Order against Tanner.
Loving County: The least populated county in the United States
The lawsuit describes Loving County as rural land covering approximately 677 square miles in western Texas. According to the 2020 census, its population consists of 64 people. It is known for its expansive oil deposits and lucrative potential, with the lawsuit stating the county has a total taxable value of over $18 billion.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Loving County’s population in 2024 included 48 people.
What does the lawsuit say?
The lawsuit alleged that Tanner plans to “overthrow the local government in Loving County and run for president in 2028.” Paxton said the plan centers on Tanner’s purchase of two adjoining five-acre tracts of land in Mentone, a town that serves as the county seat of Loving County.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/indiana-texas-political-takeover-malcolm-tanner/