The Trump administration is taking its redistricting war to the next level by targeting states like Indiana. The Republican-controlled state senate has been put under pressure by President Donald Trump, who is using his influence to try and convince individual senators to vote in favor of a new congressional map.
The map, which was passed in August in Texas, aims to reduce Democratic House seats in several states. Now, Trump's sights are set on Indiana, where the state senate must approve the map before it can move forward.
However, not all Republican senators in Indiana are on board with this plan. Some have expressed concerns that the new map is unfair and could lead to significant losses for the party. The most critical players in determining whether the Senate Republicans will pass the map include Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and Governor Mike Braun.
Bray is a moderate who has been at odds with Trump's more extreme views. Braun, on the other hand, is a staunch MAGA supporter who owes his career to Trump. He has threatened to primary any senator who votes against the map, which has sent a chill down the spines of some Republican lawmakers.
So, what's driving this resistance from state Republican lawmakers? According to Astead Herndon, co-host of Today Explained, it's not about Trump's policies, but rather about protecting the party's majority in Congress. The argument is that if the new map is passed, it could lead to significant losses for Republicans in the midterm elections.
Trump has taken to Truth Social to urge his supporters to oppose the map, claiming that any Republican who votes against it is "not a real Republican." However, this message hasn't seemed to resonate with many Trump voters, who have expressed concerns about the fairness of the map and its impact on their communities.
The vote on the map is seen as a crucial test of the party's unity and Trump's influence. If the Senate Republicans fail to pass the map, it could be a sign that the MAGA brand hasn't yet filtered down to the state legislative level, and that the Republican Party may be on the verge of change.
Ultimately, the outcome of this vote will depend on the power of persuasion exercised by Trump and his allies. But one thing is clear: if they fail to secure the passage of this map, it could have significant implications for the future of American politics.
The map, which was passed in August in Texas, aims to reduce Democratic House seats in several states. Now, Trump's sights are set on Indiana, where the state senate must approve the map before it can move forward.
However, not all Republican senators in Indiana are on board with this plan. Some have expressed concerns that the new map is unfair and could lead to significant losses for the party. The most critical players in determining whether the Senate Republicans will pass the map include Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and Governor Mike Braun.
Bray is a moderate who has been at odds with Trump's more extreme views. Braun, on the other hand, is a staunch MAGA supporter who owes his career to Trump. He has threatened to primary any senator who votes against the map, which has sent a chill down the spines of some Republican lawmakers.
So, what's driving this resistance from state Republican lawmakers? According to Astead Herndon, co-host of Today Explained, it's not about Trump's policies, but rather about protecting the party's majority in Congress. The argument is that if the new map is passed, it could lead to significant losses for Republicans in the midterm elections.
Trump has taken to Truth Social to urge his supporters to oppose the map, claiming that any Republican who votes against it is "not a real Republican." However, this message hasn't seemed to resonate with many Trump voters, who have expressed concerns about the fairness of the map and its impact on their communities.
The vote on the map is seen as a crucial test of the party's unity and Trump's influence. If the Senate Republicans fail to pass the map, it could be a sign that the MAGA brand hasn't yet filtered down to the state legislative level, and that the Republican Party may be on the verge of change.
Ultimately, the outcome of this vote will depend on the power of persuasion exercised by Trump and his allies. But one thing is clear: if they fail to secure the passage of this map, it could have significant implications for the future of American politics.