In Texas, Republicans just passed a new congressional map designed to flip five Democratic seats red — a move Democrats call nothing less than cheating at Trump’s command. Districts in Houston, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth are being carved up, while the Rio Grande Valley is being made more competitive.
This is not the first time Texas has bent democracy to its will. Back in 2003, Tom DeLay engineered a mid-decade map that cemented Republican control for a generation.
Today, the tactic is revived under Trump’s second term. Democrats walked out for weeks to block a quorum, echoing civil rights-era fights to stop disenfranchisement. But last night, they lost this round.
House Democratic Chair Gene Wu put it plainly: “When they can’t win, they cheat.”
Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll sign the map. He praised Republicans for staying true to Texas.
It’s on, Texas.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 20, 2025
But lawsuits are coming, and so is a counterpunch. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared online: “It’s on, Texas.”
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
