President Donald Trump is not happy with Indiana Republicans after state lawmakers refused to call a special session to redraw congressional maps.
“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,” Trump said in a Sunday morning post on Truth Social.
“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!” the post continued.
Bray, the state Senate president, released a statement Friday saying the party lacked the votes needed to open the redistricting conversation.
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“Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state’s congressional maps,” Bray said in a statement to Politico, after conducting a private test vote Friday afternoon with his caucus. “Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December.”
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Republicans across the state and country aired their disagreement with Bray’s decision over the weekend.
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz said in a post on Friday that state Republicans “should not be hiding behind closed doors but putting their votes on the board.”
“Hoosiers deserve transparency,” Spartz posted on X. “Voters should know whether their senators stand with President Trump or with the NY & CA socialists destroying our country.”
Rep. Marlin Stutzman said in a Friday statement that “Senator Bray and anti-Trump Indiana Senate Republicans made it clear today that they would rather protect [Democratic Rep.] André Carson, stand with Pete Buttigieg, and let Gavin Newsom steamroll Hoosier voices than support the conservative America First agenda.”
“I am calling on the Senate to hold a redistricting vote, even if it will fail, so Hoosiers can see if their Senator stands with President Trump or the rudderless Democratic Socialist movement,” Stutzman’s statement continued.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, said in a written statement, “Hoosier citizen’s voices are being diluted” by what he called inflated population numbers in other states.
“Let’s be clear: Left leaning states like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and others have inflated their population numbers by rolling out the red carpet to illegal aliens. It has been used as a tool to increase their representation numbers in Congress,” the statement continued. “Our office has made it clear that the General Assembly is well within its legal authority under the U.S. and Indiana Constitutions and settled Supreme Court precedent to draw new congressional maps mid-decade.”
Bray did not respond to NOTUS’ request for comment.
“Sen. Goode previously stated at a local listening session he hosted on Nov. 1 that he would not take a public stance unless and until he saw an officially introduced map and legislation on the floor of the State Senate,” a spokesperson for Goode said in a statement to NOTUS. “He respectfully maintains that position.”
Republicans in several states, including Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, have taken steps to shift congressional district maps to help their party pick up seats. At the same time, Democrats in California, Virginia and Maryland have responded by introducing their own legislation.
Trump on Sunday warned that he is prepared to campaign against others involved with stalling the Indiana redistricting efforts.
“Senators Bray, Goode, and the others to be released to the public later this afternoon, should DO THEIR JOB, AND DO IT NOW! If not, let’s get them out of office, ASAP,” he posted.
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