President Donald Trump is turning up the pressure on key states to redraw congressional maps in a bid to boost Republican control of the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — with Texas at the center of the strategy.
If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go. The people of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and hide like cowards. Lawmakers must answer the special session call and pass the… https://t.co/sxLvZCIOB1
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 15, 2025
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump said a “very simple redrawing” in Texas alone could yield five additional Republican House seats, and hinted that four other states could also net the GOP between five and seven more seats in total.
“Texas would be 5,” Trump stated. “There’s about four [other states]. In three cases it’s one [seat], and in one case it’s two or three. I’ll let you figure that one out.”
Greg Abbott wants to redistrict Texas to draw Democrats out of power.
There’s only one Democratic governor who has the courage to be just as scheming.
— oliviajulianna.bsky.social (@oliviajulianna.bsky.social) July 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Although he declined to name the other four states explicitly, Ohio is widely believed to be among them, as it is legally required to redraw its maps before the 2026 cycle. Other likely targets include Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida — all states where court rulings or legislative dynamics could open the door to more aggressive Republican gerrymandering.
Trump’s remarks came alongside reports that the Department of Justice and senior White House officials have been urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to act swiftly. Abbott has since instructed the state legislature to undertake a summer redistricting session to revise the current congressional map.
Donald Trump and Republicans know they’ve failed to meet their promises to votes.
Costs are going up. People are losing health care. More corruption. More chaos.
Their failures will cost them at the ballot box – so they are trying to silence voters by changing the rules.
— Defend The Vote (@dtvpac.bsky.social) July 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Texas currently holds 38 House seats, with 25 held by Republicans. The proposed redrawing would likely reshape districts held by Democrats, particularly in urban and border regions, making them more favorable to GOP candidates. However, some Republican-held districts may also become more competitive, depending on the final configuration.
Trump also took aim at California, warning that if the state redistricts in a way that adds more Democrat-leaning seats, his administration would sue.
“Gov. Gavin Newsom told the TN Holler podcast that if Texas governor Abbott goes through with his announced plan to redistrict TX in the middle of the decade, he might respond by doing it in CA”
DO IT!— AFinRenoFightsBack 🌮 ❌👑 (@callyson.bsky.social) July 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
“We’ll fight them,” Trump said. “They’re so corrupt in California. But we’ve done pretty well in the courts there. We’re batting about 1,000.”
Meanwhile, national Democratic leaders are encouraging Texas Democrats to stage a walkout — a tactic last used during the state’s 2021 voting law battle — to block the redistricting bill. Under Texas law, a quorum of 100 out of 150 House members is required to pass legislation. With 62 Democrats in the chamber, a walkout of 51 would stall the effort entirely.
The assholes are at it again:
Texas Republicans plan to redistrict again—Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a special legislative session agenda that includes “a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the Department of Justice.” #MAGAmorons
— ArizonaTerry.bsky.social (@arizonaterry.bsky.social) July 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
