Trump DECLARES War On Republicans

President Trump launched an unprecedented primary war against Indiana Senate President Rod Bray after the Republican leader blocked a redistricting plan that would have secured two additional GOP House seats and eliminated Democrats from the state’s congressional delegation entirely.

Story Highlights

Trump calls Bray a “total loser” and vows primary support against 21 Republican senators who voted down redistricting
Indiana missed opportunity to eliminate both Democratic House seats and create all-Republican delegation
Conservative PACs pledge massive funding for 2028 primary challenges against defiant Republicans
Bray resisted intense White House pressure campaign including personal calls and meetings with Trump

Trump’s Full-Court Pressure Campaign Falls Short

The Trump administration deployed extraordinary resources to pressure Indiana Republicans into supporting mid-decade redistricting. Vice President JD Vance traveled to Indiana for personal lobbying, House Speaker Mike Johnson made individual calls to senators, and Trump himself brought Republican legislators to the White House for face-to-face meetings. Despite this unprecedented intervention, the Indiana Senate voted down the measure on December 18, 2025, with 21 Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.

Trump-aligned PACs invested nearly half a million dollars in advertising campaigns to build public support for the redistricting effort. Former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita helped launch a dark-money group specifically to advocate for the Indiana redistricting plan. The comprehensive pressure campaign demonstrated the administration’s commitment to strengthening Republican House control through state-level redistricting efforts.

Bray Stands Against Party Loyalty Demands

Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray defended his opposition by citing institutional integrity concerns and long-term consequences of mid-decade redistricting. Bray argued that the proposed changes had “lasting, potentially harmful effects” and emphasized the importance of maintaining trust in legislative institutions. His resistance came despite Trump’s direct personal pressure and threats of political retaliation through primary challenges.

Internal sources revealed that the redistricting measure could achieve a maximum of approximately 20 votes, falling short of the 25 needed for passage. This mathematical reality may have informed Bray’s decision to resist Trump’s demands, as the effort appeared doomed from the outset. Some Republican colleagues privately praised Bray for protecting them from an embarrassing vote failure.

Conservative Movement Splits Over Electoral Strategy

The redistricting defeat exposed tensions within the conservative movement between Trump loyalists demanding immediate action and traditional Republicans prioritizing institutional norms. Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith criticized the Senate’s “cowardice” and argued that voters elected a Republican supermajority to advance conservative priorities. Governor Mike Braun aligned with Trump, announcing his intention to work with the President on primary challenges against defiant senators.

Trump’s Truth Social response was swift and harsh, calling the opposing Republicans “ashamed” and declaring Bray a “total loser” who should face primary challenges. The President’s public threats represent a significant escalation in his efforts to enforce party discipline on state-level issues that affect national Republican power.

Primary Battle Lines Drawn for 2028

Turning Point Action, the PAC led by Charlie Kirk’s organization, committed substantial resources to fund primary challenges against the 21 Republican senators who voted against redistricting. The group stated it was “willing to throw more money and resources into these primary races than some congressional races,” signaling the high stakes Trump allies place on this intraparty conflict. Bray faces his next primary election in May 2028.

The failed redistricting represents a missed opportunity for Republicans to eliminate Indiana’s two Democratic House seats held by Representatives Andre Carson and Frank Mrvan. The proposed maps would have created a completely Republican congressional delegation in a state Trump won by 19 points in 2024, potentially strengthening GOP House control nationally.