Trump Rips Indiana Republicans For Rejecting New Congressional Map
A sharp divide within Indiana’s Republican Party came into full view Thursday after state lawmakers rejected a proposed congressional redistricting plan, prompting an immediate and forceful response from President Donald Trump. The defeat of the plan, which Trump had strongly encouraged Republicans to support, has escalated tensions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Indiana Senate voted 31–19 against the proposal, blocking a mid-cycle redraw of congressional district lines. The plan was designed to potentially give Republicans two additional seats in the U.S. House, strengthening their chances of retaining a majority. Instead, 21 Republicans joined 10 Democrats in opposing the measure, dealing a setback to GOP leadership both in the state and nationally.
Trump responded by publicly criticizing Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, placing the blame squarely on him. “I heard he was against it,” Trump said. “He’ll probably lose his next primary, whenever that is. I hope he does, because he’s done a tremendous disservice.” Trump later added that he would “certainly support anybody who wants to go against him.”
The comments signaled Trump’s willingness to directly intervene in state-level Republican primaries, a tactic he has increasingly used to enforce party loyalty. The redistricting vote was seen by national Republicans as a key strategic move to protect their congressional advantage, making its failure particularly significant.
Following the vote, Bray released a statement explaining the rationale behind the opposition within his caucus. While emphasizing shared goals, he said Republicans want to maintain a GOP majority in Congress in 2026, but questioned whether altering district lines mid-cycle was the right approach. He noted that many senators did not believe the strategy guaranteed success for Indiana or the country.
As fallout from the vote spread, criticism intensified from top Republican figures, setting the stage for potential primary battles and internal power struggles within the Indiana GOP.