President Donald Trump called out Indiana's GOP leadership on Sunday for the breakdown of a redistricting plan that could have increased Republican representation in the U.S. House. The controversy arose after the plan's collapse due to insufficient support from the state GOP caucus. This development caused the cancellation of the state Senate's scheduled meeting on December 1.
The redistricting initiative met its end when Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray acknowledged the lack of votes needed to advance it. President Trump took to Truth Social to voice his frustration, specifically naming Bray and Sen. Greg Goode as "RINO Senators" – a term used for Republicans who are considered insufficiently conservative. The President lamented what he perceived as a missed opportunity to secure additional Republican congressional seats.
In his post, President Trump remarked, "Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats." He compared the situation to Democratic redistricting efforts, suggesting that other Republican-led states had successfully redrawn their maps, while Indiana's hesitancy threatened the GOP's House majority.
President Trump elaborated, "The Democrats have done redistricting for years, often illegally, and all other appropriate Republican States have done it," he stated. He further emphasized the importance of the majority in the House, denouncing the inaction of Indiana's Republican senators.
Hours after the President's critical posts, Sen. Goode became the target of a swatting incident at his residence in Vigo County. Swatting is the act of making deceitful emergency calls to provoke a significant police response at someone's home. Sen. Goode confirmed the incident and expressed gratitude for the professional conduct of the Vigo County sheriff's deputies who responded. He also reflected on the troubling political climate that may have contributed to the situation.
Further intensifying his stance, President Trump criticized California's recent move to add congressional seats and accused Republicans of failing to challenge such initiatives. He also expressed disappointment in Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who has been a close ally but, according to Trump, did not do enough to secure the necessary votes for redistricting.
The President concluded by threatening to support primary challenges against any Republican who opposes the redistricting efforts. He proclaimed his intention to publicize additional names of senators who stand against the initiative later that day.
