Trump Escalates Attack on Indiana Senate Leader Over Redistricting
Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Rodric Bray, the leader of the Indiana State Senate, following the Senate’s rejection of a controversial redistricting plan. This plan aimed to eliminate the state’s two Democratic congressional districts, thereby potentially securing all nine of Indiana’s congressional seats for the Republican Party in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
In a post on Truth Social early Saturday, Trump expressed his discontent, stating, “Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves.” He labeled Bray a “total loser” and threatened that he would support primary challenges against the Republicans who opposed the redistricting effort. Trump remarked on the political dynamics, noting, “Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this!”
On November 9, 2023, the Indiana State Senate, which holds a Republican majority, voted 31-19 against the redistricting proposal. This decision diverged from actions taken in other states, such as Texas and Ohio, where similar efforts have been made to bolster Republican representation. Bray had previously indicated that there were insufficient votes to support the redistricting plan and did not intend to call the Senate into a December session for further discussion.
After Trump’s public criticism of Bray, House Speaker Mike Johnson intervened, prompting Bray to reconsider and bring the issue to a vote. Despite the need for a simple majority of 26 votes, the proposal faltered as 21 Republicans, including Bray, sided with Democrats in opposing it. Some senators cited Trump’s bullying tactics and bigotry as motivations for their votes against the plan.
The situation escalated for some Republican senators who publicly opposed the redistricting effort. Reports indicate that several received threats, including bomb threats, and some were “swatted,” a tactic where police are dispatched to a location under false pretenses. Greg Walker, a GOP State Senator who voted against the proposal, stated, “I refuse to be intimidated. I made a choice.” He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that Indiana does not succumb to political violence aimed at influencing legislative outcomes.
Interestingly, Trump has displayed some confusion regarding Bray’s role. During a press conference in the Oval Office, he struggled to recall Bray’s name despite having criticized him the previous day. Trump stated, “There’s a man named Bray, as a, I guess, head of the Senate. Was that Bray? Is that the name? Bray? And I mean, I’m sure that whenever his primary is, I think in two years, but I’m sure he’ll go down. I’ll certainly support anybody that wants to go against him.”
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party as it navigates internal conflicts and the broader implications of redistricting strategies in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
