Indiana State Senate Rejects Trump's Redistricting Map, Delivering Rare Rebuke to Trump
In a stunning move, 31 Republican senators in Indiana rejected a new congressional map proposed by President Donald Trump, dealing a significant blow to his efforts to boost the party's chances in next year's midterm elections.
The vote came as no surprise to many lawmakers, who had long resisted joining the unusual mid-decade redistricting battle playing out across the country. Despite Trump's months-long push, including phone calls and visits from national Republicans, many Indiana lawmakers refused to back the map that would dismantle two of the state's Democratic-controlled districts.
The decision was particularly notable given the intimidation tactics used by Trump and his allies in an attempt to sway lawmakers. At least 12 elected Republicans faced violent threats, including pipe bomb attempts, after speaking out against the new map. State Sen. Michael Crider described the threats as a "14th year" of such behavior, saying he had never seen anything like it.
Despite the Republican-led state Senate's rejection, Gov. Mike Braun vowed to work with Trump to support primary challengers to the lawmakers who opposed the map. Braun also criticized his fellow Republicans for being "misguided" and partnering with Democrats to reject the proposal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed disappointment but maintained that the party would still win and grow its majority in the midterms. The result was seen as a rare rebuke of Trump by elected Republicans, who had been pressured to support his efforts to redraw congressional districts.
The decision comes after other Republican-led states, including Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, passed new maps to further favor the party. Without new congressional boundaries in Indiana, Republicans may struggle to achieve the advantage they initially hoped for through redistricting.
As Trump continues to face criticism from within his own party, some lawmakers are speaking out about the tactics used by the president's allies. State Sen. Dan Dernulc said receiving a pipe bomb threat was "unnerving" and added that he didn't want to be killed.
The saga in Indiana highlights the growing tension between Trump's faction of Republicans and those who oppose his redistricting efforts. With primary elections looming, many lawmakers are now facing decisions about whether to support the president or go against him on a contentious issue like gerrymandering.
In a stunning move, 31 Republican senators in Indiana rejected a new congressional map proposed by President Donald Trump, dealing a significant blow to his efforts to boost the party's chances in next year's midterm elections.
The vote came as no surprise to many lawmakers, who had long resisted joining the unusual mid-decade redistricting battle playing out across the country. Despite Trump's months-long push, including phone calls and visits from national Republicans, many Indiana lawmakers refused to back the map that would dismantle two of the state's Democratic-controlled districts.
The decision was particularly notable given the intimidation tactics used by Trump and his allies in an attempt to sway lawmakers. At least 12 elected Republicans faced violent threats, including pipe bomb attempts, after speaking out against the new map. State Sen. Michael Crider described the threats as a "14th year" of such behavior, saying he had never seen anything like it.
Despite the Republican-led state Senate's rejection, Gov. Mike Braun vowed to work with Trump to support primary challengers to the lawmakers who opposed the map. Braun also criticized his fellow Republicans for being "misguided" and partnering with Democrats to reject the proposal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed disappointment but maintained that the party would still win and grow its majority in the midterms. The result was seen as a rare rebuke of Trump by elected Republicans, who had been pressured to support his efforts to redraw congressional districts.
The decision comes after other Republican-led states, including Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, passed new maps to further favor the party. Without new congressional boundaries in Indiana, Republicans may struggle to achieve the advantage they initially hoped for through redistricting.
As Trump continues to face criticism from within his own party, some lawmakers are speaking out about the tactics used by the president's allies. State Sen. Dan Dernulc said receiving a pipe bomb threat was "unnerving" and added that he didn't want to be killed.
The saga in Indiana highlights the growing tension between Trump's faction of Republicans and those who oppose his redistricting efforts. With primary elections looming, many lawmakers are now facing decisions about whether to support the president or go against him on a contentious issue like gerrymandering.
. They're more worried about pleasing Trump than doing what's best for their constituents. The intimidation tactics used by Trump and his allies are ridiculous 
. Who needs threats and pipe bombs to make a decision? It's embarrassing for the party. Indiana's move might be a small victory, but it won't change the fact that they're still struggling to pass good legislation 
. Like, I'm not surprised that Trump's team tried to strong-arm those law makers into supporting their map, but the threats they received? That's just disgusting 
. It's a reminder that our democracy is only as strong as the willingness of its citizens to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means going against the powers that be 
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. And we need to hold Trump's team accountable for the intimidation tactics they've used to try and silence opponents 
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. We deserve representation that truly reflects the will of the people, not just the whims of a president 
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is this what we're gonna see more of in the midterms? 
meanwhile johnson is saying "oh we'll win regardless" give me a break 
this just shows how much pressure trump's putting on his own party members, and it's only gonna get worse from here
I feel so bad for those Indiana senators who were intimidated into opposing Trump's map 
. It's not okay for anyone to be threatened or harmed over politics, you know? 
. It shows that there are still good, brave people in politics who care about doing what's right, even when it's hard 
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the fact that 12 elected republicans got death threats over it is straight up chilling. what's next, are they gonna start showing up at our doors with pitchforks? 
. Braun's all about working with trump now? that seems fishy to me 
. and what's up with johnson saying they'll still win midterms despite this? isn't that kinda wishful thinking? 
It's just not cool, you know? And Braun is all like 'I'll work with Trump' but at the same time he's criticizing his fellow Republicans for being 'misguided'... I feel like he's trying to save face 
but wut r they goin 2 do now?? they cant just keep losin 2 the dems lol anyway this is def a major setback 4 trump and his gerrymandering plans 
. The question is, who's gonna come out on top? The party loyalists or the lawmakers who just want to do what's right? We'll have to wait and see 
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This is crazy! I was expecting more pushback from the GOP but not 31 senators rebelling against Trump's map 
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31 senators rejecting his map is insane! and can we talk about how scary those threats were? pipe bombs? like, what even is that?? 
. And honestly, I'm kinda loving the drama that's unfolding 
.