Democrats Amplify Texas Opposition to Trump-Backed Redistricting

Democrats are deeply divided on how to respond to a Republican-backed redistricting effort in Texas, which aims to create five new safe GOP congressional seats and potentially hinder Democrats' chances in the 2026 midterms. Some Democrats, including former Rep. Beto O’Rourke and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, advocate for aggressively adopting Republican redistricting tactics, arguing that Democrats must prioritize winning power over idealism in face of President Donald Trump's push to gain seats through redistricting. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is launching a large-scale campaign deploying 30,000 volunteers to contact persuadable Republican voters in Texas and organize opposition to the redistricting plan, which they claim is designed to rig the maps for GOP advantage. This redistricting effort follows a Department of Justice directive to redraw four majority-minority districts in Texas, which the DOJ deemed unconstitutional racial gerrymanders, complicating the political battle. Democrats caution that mid-decade redistricting battles nationwide could favor Republicans due to more permissive rules in red states, and they are grappling with how to balance fighting back without abandoning principles of fair map drawing. The conflict underscores the broader power struggle leading up to the 2026 midterms and reflects the heightened political stakes under President Trump’s administration.