President Trump early Saturday reupped his vow to support primary challenges against Indiana Republicans that opposed redistricting efforts, singling out GOP leader state Sen. Rodric Bray.
“Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Headed by a total loser named Rod Bray, every one of these people should be “primaried,” and I will be there to help!”
“Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this!” he added.
The president has lashed out at Hoosier State senators in the days since the upper chamber failed to advance a new GOP-favored map. He has also suggested Bray is out the door after senators voted 19-31 vote against the state House-passed measure — with 21 Republicans joining 10 Democrats to reject it.
Ahead of the vote, Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith (R) warned the senators that the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding from the state if the redistricting effort failed.
That decision comes as other states — including California, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, among others — are embroiled in their own redistricting battles. Both sides of the aisle are looking to add more pick-up opportunities in the 2026 midterms.
“We’ll be launching primary challenges against every last traitor who voted no, effective immediately! Pack your bags, your time is up!” Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz wrote on social platform X, responding to the vote.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) on Thursday offered his help to the Trump administration, as the president looks to unseat what he considers disloyal party members.
“I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump. Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences,” Braun wrote in a post on X.
“I will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers,” he added.
Trump is expected to be a constant presence on the campaign trail in 2026 after a string of GOP losses in the 2025 election. Some lawmakers in other states have supported his effort to oust incumbents while others have questioned the president’s method.
“It’s an odd way to try to build a party, let alone one that can act and legislate,” said former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R), who opposed efforts to redistrict mid-cycle.
“They’d be a lot better advised, I think, to spend time trying to deliver results on things that are troubling the American people as opposed to shooting allies in the back,” he added.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
