Obama firmly weighs in on Trump-backed plan in Texas
Republican lawmakers are aiming to pass a newly redrawn congressional map of the Lone Star State that could add up to five seats in their favor ahead of the 2026 midterms. The plan, supported by President Donald Trump, has sparked a map-drawing battle across the country, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declaring that he will move forward with his own proposal that would give Democrats an edge in picking up additional seats.
Newsom on Thursday called for California voters to decide on new maps in a special election on Nov. 4. If passed, he said a proposal will only take effect if Texas successfully enacts its plan. It will then remain in place until the 2030 census, temporarily sidestepping the state's independent redistricting commission.
'We know what Donald Trump knows,' Newsom said to a crowd. 'He's going to lose... Why else would he try to rig the system?'
In remarks first reported by ABC News, Obama had expressed support to the fleeing Democratic lawmakers in Texas through a video call, arguing that their exit comes at an important time to combat gerrymandering.
'We can't let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by and so because of your actions, because of your courage, what you've seen is California responding, other states looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering,' Obama told the legislators, who were meeting in Illinois, via Zoom.
Obama added that the lawmakers should return to Texas 'feeling invigorated.'
'It's not going to be resolved right away, and it's going to require, ultimately, the American people understanding the stakes and realizing that we cannot take our freedoms and our democracy for granted,' Obama said. 'You've helped set the tone for that, and I'm grateful for it.'
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, the chair of the state's House Democratic Caucus, said that his colleagues were 'especially excited' to speak with Obama in a statement to ABC News.
'They know their racial gerrymandering scheme is falling apart, so they're resorting to intimidation tactics,' Wu told ABC News. 'But President Obama's support shows the whole country is watching — and Texas House Democrats won't be silenced by bullies.'
The former president is also expected to headline a fundraiser in Martha's Vineyard later this month, which is hosted by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will also be in attendance.
As more than 50 Democrats left Texas to break the Legislature's quorum during its special session, Republican leaders in the state have threatened to remove them from office and floated their arrests. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a second session on Friday after state lawmakers finished the first one earlier in the morning.
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