Obama Backs Texas Democrats in Redistricting Showdown, Calls GOP Effort a ‘Systematic Assault on Democracy’
Former President Barack Obama waded into the debate over redistricting during a Zoom call with Texas House Democrats on Thursday, warning of a “systematic assault on democracy” spurred by Republican efforts to redraw congressional maps in Texas.
In a video of the 30-minute conversation obtained by CNN, Obama praised Texas Democrats for standing up to the GOP’s push to alter congressional districts in a way that could secure up to five additional Republican U.S. House seats.
Obama Wades Into Redistricting Fight With Strongest Remarks Yet
“What we all recognize is we can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by,” Obama said. “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 that is highly irregular and is not what we should be doing, to balance out the maps for this upcoming election.”
He continued, “My hope is that rather than have a race to the bottom where every district is predetermined based on how it’s drawn, that over time, the American people, ideally with the help of the courts, realizes that there’s a better way.”
Obama’s comments mark his most extensive public remarks yet on the redistricting battles now unfolding across the nation.
Texas Democrats Hold the Line by Breaking Quorum
Two weeks ago, Texas Democrats left the state, denying Republicans the quorum needed to pass a new congressional map that could give the GOP five additional seats in 2026. The move has drawn threats from Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans to arrest or remove them from their seats.
Obama praised their stand, posting on X: “Their willingness to put themselves on the line to highlight the current assault on our democracy has set an example for what all of us have to do.”
Democrats Outline Conditions for Return
On Thursday, Texas Democrats said they would return only if two conditions were met:
- The Texas Legislature adjourns Friday, ending the special session.
- California introduces its own counter-map to offset Texas GOP gains.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has responded, calling for a special election on Nov. 4 to approve new maps giving Democrats five more U.S. House seats. He is also pressuring New York and Illinois governors to follow suit.
National Redistricting Battle Escalates
The Texas fight is now a national one. Trump has urged GOP-led states to redraw maps, dispatching Vice President JD Vance to Indiana to rally support. Missouri has purchased redistricting software, and Florida lawmakers have hinted at considering map changes in the fall.
“This precious democracy that we’ve got is not a given,” Obama warned, pointing to broader threats such as voter suppression, election denialism, politicization of the justice system, and the militarization of cities.
California Steps In to Counter Texas Map
Newsom’s plan marks the first official move by a state outside Texas to intervene in the mid-decade redistricting fight. “We can’t stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district,” he said, urging Democrats nationwide to take an active role.
