Longtime political analyst Dave Wasserman, of The Cook Political Report, warned that the looming election will bring the "apocalypse we've all feared."
Speaking with NBC's Ryan Nobles, Wasserman explained that the GOP is holding "an edge" in the battle over redistricting after Texas began its effort to redraw the lines mere years after drawing the lines for the previous congressional districts. It's all part of an effort to hold onto Congress amid the GOP's lack of popularity.
President Donald Trump has encouraged Florida, Texas and Missouri to redraw their lines to tilt Congress. Democrats are calling it the GOP's effort to cheat.
Wasserman said that it's the "gerrymandering apocalypse we've all feared."
He began with a "both sides do it" argument, though one Texas lawmaker fact-checked a Fox host for the same sentiment, noting that no Republicans voted to support a ban on gerrymandering. While Republicans like to claim Massachusetts drew unfair lines, the state's Republican governor signed off on it.
"They're obviously desperate to hold the majority. They know that President Trump's approval rating is not great. The bill they passed isn't that popular," said Wasserman. "And so, adding insurance, and piling on sandbags to their very thin majority — the only way they can do that is by redistricting Texas, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri."
He noted that if they do it with Florida, then they could "triple the Republican cushion."
If California can redistrict its lines, Wasserman said that the state will take the ax to potentially five Republican lawmakers.
If both parties go as far as they can, he said that Republicans will come out ahead of Democrats.
Texas state Democrats have managed to prevent a quorum in the legislature, which stops any redistricting bills from passing. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said that it won't matter; he'll continue to call as many special sessions as needed to get the maps that Trump wants.
However, if the lawmakers can make it until December, Texas won't have time for the new lines to apply to 2026. Abbott has also claimed he will expel the Democrats from office, but doing so would require a new primary and general election be held before they can call the new session.
See the clip below or at the link here.