The NPR Politics Podcast Year In Review: Trump, Gerrymandering & Redistricting
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Dec 24, 2025 Delve into the year of redistricting and partisan maneuvering as President Trump influences Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps. The conversation highlights a surge in gerrymandering, revealing tensions in states like Indiana. Discover how upcoming elections may shift House control amidst conflicting voter sentiments and the potential implications of the Voting Rights Act. Explore the challenges of redistricting costs and the debate over independent commissions, all while navigating the chaotic landscape of modern American politics.
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Trump Sparked A Redistricting Arms Race
- President Trump’s push to redraw Texas maps triggered a nationwide redistricting arms race between Republicans and Democrats.
- That initial directive set off retaliatory map changes as each side tries to protect or gain House seats.
Multiple States Are Already Redrawing Maps
- Several states including Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Utah moved to redraw maps this year, with more states potentially following.
- Many of these efforts face court battles, referendums, or delayed legislative timelines that leave outcomes uncertain.
Indiana Lawmakers Resisted Trump Pressure
- In Indiana, Trump allies pressured Republican lawmakers intensely but the state legislature still voted not to redraw maps.
- Lawmakers faced harassment and threats during that high-profile clash over redistricting.