AUSTIN — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Thursday denounced President Trump and his Republican allies for looking for to redraw the Texas congressional map to flip at the very least 5 seats forward of the 2026 midterm elections.
Flanked by endangered members of Congress, the Home Democratic minority chief from Brooklyn denounced the mid-decade gerrymander effort as an “unconscionable and un-American” effort to “rig” the sport and keep in energy throughout what’s shaping up as an unfavorable election cycle for the GOP.
“The people of Texas deserve better,” Jeffries informed reporters on the Texas State Capitol. “Your government should be focused on solving your problems, not serving Donald Trump.”
The lawmakers vowed to battle again however had been tight-lipped about how they may block the hassle in a state the place Republicans are firmly in command of all branches of presidency. Some have proposed fleeing to disclaim the ruling GOP a quorum however that tactic is taken into account unlikely to succeed.
“I’m in Texas for a reason,” Jeffries stated. “It’s an all-hands moment and all options have to be on the table.”
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), whose suburban Houston district could be shredded underneath the brand new plan, stated Trump’s Republicans are centered on an influence seize to keep away from dealing with the decision of voters on their plans to chop well being care and fund large tax cuts for the rich.
“People are seeing what he and his administration are doing, and they hate it,” Fletcher stated.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) would see his San Antonio district get much more closely Democratic because the map seeks to wipe away a neighboring blue seat by stretching its borders deep into rural hinterland.
“This is a pure power play,” stated Castro, who ran for president in 2020. “I would never want a con man from New York telling Texas what to do.”
With Texas hurtling towards enacting the controversial map, Trump is pushing different pink states to take comparable gambits to eradicate Democratic-held seats. Republicans maintain a six-seat edge however historical past says Democrats are prone to make positive aspects within the 2026 as a result of a sitting president’s social gathering usually loses seats.
Democrats in blue states, notably vote-rich California, are contemplating retaliating by redrawing their very own maps to oust some Republican lawmakers. In New York and New Jersey, redistricting could be virtually unattainable to finish in time for the essential midterms.
Initially Printed: July 31, 2025 at 11:09 AM EDT
