The case, filed Tuesday in Panola County state court, marks the latest challenge to the scientific and legal debate over one of America’s most widely used painkillers. It comes just weeks after former President Donald Trump and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly echoed unverified assertions linking acetaminophen to autism while announcing a new federal initiative to research the disorder’s causes.

Allegations of deceptive marketing and liability transfer

Paxton, a Republican and U.S. Senate candidate, alleged that Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue violated Texas consumer protection laws by “deceptively marketing Tylenol as the only safe painkiller for pregnant women.” The lawsuit contends that the companies failed to warn consumers of alleged risks to fetuses and young children and sought to shield corporate assets through “fraudulent transfers” of liabilities.

According to the complaint, Johnson & Johnson improperly transferred legal responsibility for Tylenol-related claims to Kenvue following the 2021 corporate restructuring that separated its consumer health division. The new entity, based in Summit, New Jersey, now owns household brands such as Tylenol, Listerine, and Band-Aid.

“Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks,” Paxton said in a statement. “These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets.”

The Texas Attorney General’s Office is seeking financial penalties of $10,000 per violation under the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act, as well as the destruction of marketing materials suggesting that Tylenol is safe during pregnancy or for children.

Companies reject claims, cite scientific consensus

Both Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue have rejected the allegations, emphasizing that acetaminophen remains widely recognized as a safe and essential medicine when used as directed.

In a statement, Kenvue said, “We stand firmly with the global medical community that acknowledges the safety of acetaminophen and believe we will continue to be successful in litigation as these claims lack legal merit and scientific support.”

The company added that untreated high fevers and pain themselves pose risks to pregnant women and fetuses, underscoring that acetaminophen is still the recommended pain reliever for pregnancy according to leading health organizations.

Johnson & Johnson, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, pointed to its 2021 corporate separation in its response. “All rights and liabilities associated with the sale of over-the-counter products, including Tylenol (acetaminophen), are owned by Kenvue,” the company said.

Scientific uncertainty and ongoing litigation

Acetaminophen, commonly sold under the Tylenol brand, is used by more than 100 million Americans each year to relieve pain and reduce fever. While some studies have explored potential links between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and developmental disorders such as autism or ADHD, major health agencies—including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—have found no conclusive evidence supporting those claims.

Several lawsuits asserting that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes autism have already been dismissed in federal court, though appeals remain pending. In its latest annual report, Kenvue disclosed that it continues to face related litigation, most of which it expects to prevail in due to the lack of scientific consensus.

Political backdrop and local venue

The lawsuit was filed in rural Panola County, a Republican-leaning area of roughly 23,000 residents in East Texas. Legal analysts note that filing in a conservative venue could signal a strategic choice by Paxton’s office to seek a sympathetic jury pool.

Paxton, who remains a close ally of Donald Trump, has used his office to pursue several high-profile cases targeting major corporations and federal policies. His lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue aligns with broader political rhetoric around pharmaceutical accountability and consumer protection.

However, medical experts caution that amplifying unproven links between Tylenol and autism risks spreading misinformation that could harm public trust and lead to unsafe pain management during pregnancy.

Dr. Emily Carter, a maternal health specialist at Baylor College of Medicine, said, “Acetaminophen remains the safest over-the-counter pain reliever for pregnant women when used properly. Misrepresenting scientific uncertainty could cause confusion and fear among expecting mothers.”

Public health and regulatory response

The FDA has long maintained that acetaminophen is safe when used as directed but has also called for more research into potential long-term developmental effects. Global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have not identified any causal relationship between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism.

As litigation proceeds, public health experts emphasize the importance of relying on peer-reviewed evidence and established medical guidance. The outcome of the Texas case could influence broader state-level actions and pharmaceutical marketing practices nationwide.

Source: AP News – Texas lawsuit against companies behind Tylenol asserts unproven claims of autism risk

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Writing Time: August 04, 2025, 16:00 (U.S. Central Time)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a strong ultimatum to Democratic state lawmakers who fled the state to block a controversial redistricting vote. Abbott said the absent representatives must return by Monday at 3 p.m. or face removal from office, arrest, and potential criminal charges under state law.

The political standoff stems from a walkout by dozens of Democratic legislators who traveled to Chicago in an attempt to deny the Texas House the quorum needed to conduct business. In response, Abbott condemned their actions as unconstitutional and accused them of neglecting their legislative duties.

Democrats Leave Texas to Block GOP Redistricting Plan

Late Sunday evening, more than 50 Texas House Democrats arrived in Chicago, temporarily halting the legislative session. Their absence left the Republican-led House short of the 100-member quorum required to vote on proposed new congressional district maps.

The redistricting plan in question could significantly reshape Texas’ political map by potentially adding up to five Republican-held congressional seats. Critics, including the Democratic caucus, have labeled the proposal a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme” that aims to dilute the voting power of communities of color, especially in urban areas such as Dallas and Houston.

In a brief statement following their arrival in Chicago, the Texas House Democratic Caucus issued a pointed response to Abbott’s demands: “Come and take it.”

Abbott Responds: “Real Texans Don’t Run from a Fight”

Gov. Abbott reacted swiftly, denouncing the lawmakers’ departure and accusing them of deliberately sabotaging the legislative process.

“Rather than doing their job and voting on urgent legislation affecting the lives of all Texans, they have fled Texas to deprive the House of the quorum necessary to meet and conduct business,” Abbott wrote in an official statement. “Real Texans don’t run from a fight.”

Abbott emphasized that voting on legislation is a constitutional responsibility, not a choice, for elected lawmakers. He said that failing to fulfill this obligation amounts to abandoning their official duties.

Legal Consequences: Arrest, Expulsion, and Felony Threats

In his statement, Abbott said the Democrats must return by the House’s scheduled reconvening at 3:00 p.m. Monday. If they do not, he warned that they could be removed from office by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Under Article III, Section 13 of the Texas Constitution, a legislator who is determined to have “forfeited his or her office due to abandonment” may be removed, creating a vacancy that the governor can fill.

Attorney General Paxton has echoed Abbott’s stance, stating that absent lawmakers “should be found and arrested no matter where they go.” The use of law enforcement to compel lawmakers to return for a vote is permitted under Texas House rules when a quorum is not met.

Additionally, Abbott warned that fundraising efforts aimed at helping the legislators avoid fines or penalties may also lead to criminal prosecution. He cited Texas bribery statutes, saying:

“Any Democrat who solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote may have violated bribery laws,” Abbott wrote. He also noted that anyone who “offers, confers, or agrees to confer” money to lawmakers could face similar charges.

The governor concluded his statement by asserting he would use “full extradition authority” to bring any lawmaker who faces charges back to Texas.

Redistricting Controversy: Potential Impact on Future Elections

At the center of the political impasse is the proposed redrawing of congressional district boundaries. The current draft of the GOP-backed redistricting map would favor Republican candidates in upcoming elections, especially in formerly Democratic-leaning urban areas.

One major change would shift the district of Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a prominent Black Democratic lawmaker, into a more conservative area, effectively removing her from her own district. Critics argue this move is a clear attempt to reduce minority representation and consolidate GOP power.

Although the maps are not final, their release has sparked backlash from civil rights groups and Democratic leaders, who say the process lacks transparency and fairness.

Democratic Leaders Speak Out in Chicago

At a press conference held in Chicago, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu emphasized that the lawmakers’ decision to leave Texas was not a political stunt, but a necessary act of resistance.

“We’re not here to play political games. We’re here to demand an end to this corrupt process,” Wu said, referring to what he described as an undemocratic redistricting effort.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also voiced his support for the Texas Democrats during the conference, calling their walkout “a righteous act of courage.” Pritzker said the Republican-led redistricting plan threatens to silence “millions of voices, especially Black and Latino voters.”

What Happens Next

The Texas House is scheduled to reconvene at 3:00 p.m. Monday. Whether a quorum will be met remains uncertain, as the Democratic delegation shows no signs of returning before then.

If the standoff continues, Abbott could call for further special sessions or escalate legal proceedings against the absent lawmakers. The political and legal battle is likely to intensify in the coming days, with national implications for redistricting, voting rights, and legislative procedure.

Meanwhile, legal experts note that enforcing extradition or arrest across state lines for lawmakers engaged in political protest would likely trigger constitutional challenges and public scrutiny.

Source: FOX News – Abbott threatens to remove House Dems from office following dramatic departure to avoid vote

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