Texas Democrats Plan Walkout Against GOP Redistricting

President Donald Trump is actively urging Texas Republicans to redraw the state's congressional maps in a special legislative session, aiming to gain five additional GOP seats and prevent Democratic advances ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This mid-decade redistricting effort, called by GOP Governor Greg Abbott, has drawn sharp criticism from Texas Democrats and House Democratic leaders, who accuse Trump and Republicans of attempting to rig the system and disenfranchise voters, particularly racial minorities. Democrats are considering extraordinary measures, including a potential walkout during the special session, to block the redistricting plan, arguing that the effort distracts from addressing recent deadly flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Trump asserts that redistricting could yield three to five more Republican seats not only in Texas but potentially in other states as well. The redistricting is controversial because reapportionment typically follows the decennial census, whereas this mid-decade effort is seen as politically motivated rather than demographic-driven. Democrats warn that Republicans' aggressive gerrymandering could backfire politically and further undermine democracy.