In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Indiana, President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked key Republican lawmakers and the state’s governor over their reluctance to advance a controversial mid-decade redistricting plan. The dispute, which has unfolded over the past week, has exposed deep rifts within the Indiana GOP and ignited a national debate about the role of partisan map-drawing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
On November 16, 2025, Trump took to Truth Social to vent his frustration, naming Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and State Senator Greg Goode as principal obstacles to his redistricting ambitions. In a series of posts, Trump didn’t mince words: “Because of these two politically correct type ‘gentlemen,’ and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!” he wrote, as reported by POLITICO and USA TODAY Network. Trump further declared, “Any Republican that votes against this important redistricting, potentially having an impact on America itself, should be PRIMARIED.”
The president’s ire wasn’t reserved for Bray and Goode alone. Governor Mike Braun, who owes his 2024 gubernatorial victory in part to Trump’s endorsement, also found himself in the crosshairs. “Considering that Mike wouldn’t be Governor without me (Not even close!), is disappointing!” Trump posted, according to Indianapolis Star. Trump accused Braun of not working hard enough to secure the votes needed for redistricting, a claim that underscores the high stakes and personal nature of the feud.
At the heart of the controversy is Trump’s push for Indiana to redraw its congressional map mid-decade, a move he argues is necessary to protect the GOP’s slim House majority in 2026. Normally, redistricting is conducted every ten years following the census, but Trump and his allies have advocated for a more aggressive approach, citing Democratic efforts in states like California, Illinois, and Maryland to tilt the playing field in their favor. “The Democrats have done redistricting for years, often illegally, and all other appropriate Republican States have done it,” Trump insisted in his statement, as documented by WTHR.
Indiana’s current congressional delegation consists of seven Republicans and two Democrats, giving the GOP a significant edge. Yet, Trump’s team believes that redrawing the map could yield even more seats and help counter Democratic gains elsewhere. The president’s campaign has included direct calls to Indiana lawmakers, two visits from Vice President JD Vance to lobby for the plan, and even Oval Office meetings with Bray and State House Speaker Todd Huston in August 2025.
Despite this pressure, Bray announced on November 14 that the state Senate lacked the votes to move forward with redistricting. “Our state senators need to do the right thing and show up to vote for fair maps. Hoosiers deserve to know where their elected officials stand on important issues,” Braun said in a statement, reiterating his support for the special session but acknowledging the legislative impasse, as reported by the Indianapolis Star.
Senator Goode, meanwhile, has maintained a cautious stance, declining to take a public position until he sees a concrete proposal. According to his spokesperson, Goode is waiting for “an officially introduced map and legislation on the floor of the state Senate” before making any commitment, a position he has held consistently throughout the debate. Notably, Goode hosted a town hall in his district to solicit public input on the issue, where attendees overwhelmingly expressed disapproval of the redistricting push, as highlighted by IndyStar.
The political drama took a disturbing turn on November 17, when Goode became the target of a swatting incident—an anonymous, false emergency report that brought sheriff’s deputies to his home in Terre Haute. The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the call was a hoax and that all residents were unharmed. Goode later wrote on social media, “While this entire incident is unfortunate and reflective of the volatile nature of our current political environment, I give thanks to God that my family and I are ok.” The timing of the incident, coming just hours after Trump’s public criticism, has underscored the heightened tensions and personal risks facing lawmakers caught in the crossfire of national partisan battles, according to the Associated Press.
The broader context for Indiana’s redistricting standoff is a nationwide arms race over congressional maps. Democrats, emboldened by recent electoral successes and strong off-year showings, are pursuing their own redistricting efforts in blue states. California voters, for instance, recently approved Proposition 50, which will redraw five congressional districts in the Democrats’ favor. Trump has pointed to such moves as justification for his aggressive stance, warning that failure to act could cost Republicans their House majority—a concern echoed by GOP strategists wary of historical midterm losses for the party in control of the White House.
Yet, not all Republicans are on board with Trump’s approach. Several Indiana Senate Republicans have publicly stated their opposition to the mid-decade redistricting, and many have remained silent, wary of alienating either the party base or moderate constituents. The legislative deadline for a special session is December 13, but with Bray’s announcement and the current lack of consensus, the prospect of a new map appears increasingly remote.
Trump, undeterred, has continued to ramp up the pressure. In his Truth Social posts, he threatened to name additional lawmakers who he claims are obstructing the redistricting effort, urging his followers to “get them out of office, ASAP.” He also cast the dispute in existential terms, linking it to his broader “Make America Great Again” campaign and warning of “crazy Policies and Ideas that are so bad for America” if Republicans fail to act.
Governor Braun, for his part, has attempted to walk a fine line. While publicly supporting the redistricting push and calling for a special session, he has also emphasized the Senate’s autonomy and responsibility to “do the right thing and show up to vote for fair maps.” His office declined to comment further in response to Trump’s criticism, reflecting the delicate balancing act required to navigate both state and national party dynamics.
As the December deadline looms, Indiana finds itself at the center of a political storm with implications far beyond its borders. The outcome of the redistricting battle could shape not only the state’s congressional delegation but also the balance of power in Washington for years to come. For now, the standoff continues, with Trump’s influence—and the resolve of Indiana’s GOP lawmakers—being tested in real time.
In the end, the Indiana redistricting saga has become a microcosm of the nation’s polarized politics, where local decisions are shaped by national ambitions and the stakes, both personal and political, have rarely been higher.
