Trump and Vance Slam Indiana GOP Leader as Redistricting Fight Boils Over
This week, former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray for delaying a Republican-backed redistricting plan before the 2026 midterms.
A GOP congressional plan was rejected 19–31 by the Indiana Senate on Thursday, exacerbating the dispute. The state House approved splitting two Democratic-held districts and giving Republicans additional authority in all nine congressional seats. Several states are redrawing their political maps, including Indiana. It is in the focus of a national border redrawing debate.
Bray has claimed his chamber did not approve the Indiana plan, even though GOP-friendly designs have passed in Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina. That position was controversial instantly.
Trump called Bray “either a bad guy or a very stupid one” on Wednesday and accused him of working with Democrats by not promoting the idea. He warned GOP members who reject redistricting may face MAGA-backed elections next year, sparking party instability.
He also claimed that Democratic congressional officials praised Bray, proving that the Indiana Senate leader opposed his party’s agenda.
Thursday, JD Vance said Trump told national Republicans he wouldn’t hinder redistricting but then worked behind the scenes to deter Indiana lawmakers from supporting them. Vance advised the Indiana GOP to “pick a side” and punish party dishonesty.
Their criticism followed Donald Trump Jr.’s essay calling Republicans who opposed the plan “Never Trumpers” helping Democrats keep Congress. He promised to challenge any Indiana party member who rejects it next year.
The unsuccessful vote came a week after the Supreme Court let Texas draft its 2025 redistricting. The state gained five Republican-friendly seats. Many states, including California, passed Democratic-led redistricting measures after that judgment.
Starting in his second term, Trump has pressed Republican-controlled legislatures to quickly enact new congressional boundaries to maintain party dominance in the House. Indiana has supermajorities in both chambers but has struggled to manage.
Recent reports say at least 11 Republican lawmakers in the state were intimidated or had their phones swatted as public pressure intensified. This shows the high political stakes and growing estrangement between national and state GOP leaders.
Trump’s nationwide redistricting plan is weakened by the Indiana model’s loss, and the GOP’s unity before the 2026 midterms is questioned. The Indiana GOP debate is a prime example of Republicans’ Trumpism-state politics conflict.
