Politics Weekly America Can the Democrats win by trolling Trump?
Aug 29, 2025
Marisa Lagos, a KQED correspondent focused on California politics, joins Texas House Representative Nicole Collier, known for her activism against gerrymandering. They dive into Collier's remarkable 54-hour sleepover on the House floor, showcasing Democratic unity against redistricting efforts. The conversation shifts to California, where Governor Newsom is adopting aggressive strategies to combat GOP tactics, including trolling Trump. Together, they explore how these bold moves could reshape Democratic fortunes in the face of significant political challenges.
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Quorum-Breaking Flight To Block Maps
- Nicole Collier described how Texas Democrats fled the state to deny quorum and block gerrymandering.
- She said denying quorum was the last tool to protect constituents from racially discriminatory maps.
California's Redistricting As Counterpunch
- California moved to redraw maps as a direct response to Texas Republicans seeking extra seats for Trump.
- The shift frames map changes as reactive countermeasures rather than pure partisan overreach.
54 Hours Locked On The House Floor
- Nicole Collier stayed on the Texas House floor for 54 hours rather than sign a custody permission slip.
- Colleagues brought food and later tore up slips, citing solidarity and civil disobedience.