Donald Trump’s recent win in getting his redistricting map pushed through in Texas may just be the start of something terrible as the president has plans to replicate his gerrymandering across numerous states in order to win potentially 100 extra Republican seats across the country.
Celebrating the win in Texas on Truth Social Trump was more than happy to outline his mastermind plan as he claimed that states like Florida, Indiana, and others were looking to follow in the footsteps of Texas. It’s all a part of the president’s bid to help him maintain a house majority come the midterm elections next year.
Gerrymandering isn’t the only part of Trump’s plan
The idea to move district lines to benefit the Republican party is only one part of Trump’s plan however. In his post he also emphasizes the importance of putting a stop to mail-in voting, something which he claims is liable to fraud despite there being no evidence to suggest this is the case. He also advises going to paper ballots instead of voting machines, something which he’s also accused Democrats of tampering with in past elections.
“If we do these TWO things, we will pick up 100 more seats, and the CROOKED game of politics is over. God Bless America!!!” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. He also promised that more seats would equate to “less Crime, a great Economy, and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT.” However, judging by how he’s dealt with the supposed crime in Washington D.C., this sounds like yet another lie from Trump.
Trump must be terrified of the upcoming midterms as he’s willing to do anything and everything necessary to obtain those Republican seats. It’s ironic that he claims this will put a stop to the “crooked” game of politics when this is arguably the most crooked thing he could do when it comes to elections. He’s suppressing voters, and he’s gerrymandering, all in an attempt to give himself an advantage next year.
Could this plan actually work?
The redistricting map may have gone through in Texas and more Republican states could soon follow suit. The process is perfectly legal although it’s usually done every 10 years after the U.S. census which would account for any population changes. While Trump is arguably exploiting the system, he’s not doing anything illegal. On the other hand, blue states like California are already drawing up plans to put through redistricting maps of their own meaning we could see states across the country redrawing their maps in an attempt to win more seats for the desired party.
As for mail-in voting, the constitution clarifies that the individual states are the ones to decide how voting is held, the president doesn’t get a say. But according to the BBC Trump argues that the states are merely an “agent” for the federal government when it comes to counting votes therefore they must do as told. He’s wrong of course, but when has that ever stopped Trump before?
It’s difficult to predict how this ridiculous plan is going to go for Trump. While he could maybe push through new district maps to give him an edge next year, it’s less likely he’ll be able to put a stop to mail-in voting.
