Trump demands get 'stiff' opposition from red state Republicans: Insiders

Indiana Republicans are still hesitant to go along with President Donald Trump’s plan for state lawmakers to redraw their congressional districts following Vice President JD Vance’s “frantic attempt” to drum up support, several insiders revealed to Politico Saturday.

“I don’t feel like it’s a slam dunk yet, but I think we definitely made progress,” said a Republican allied with Trump’s efforts, speaking with Politico about Vance’s recent visit with Indiana state lawmakers on the condition of anonymity. “I think they definitely get that we’re not going away.”

Trump’s plan was first revealed in August, and came after he successfully pressured Texas state lawmakers to redraw their own congressional districts, and in such a way as to give Republicans five more seats in the U.S. House. California has responded by passing legislation to redraw its own districts, kicking off what’s been referred to as a “redistricting battle.”

Now, the Trump administration has its sights set on Indiana, however, according to several insiders, Indiana state lawmakers aren’t yet convinced.

“[It was] pretty stiff,” said another Republican allied with Trump’s efforts, referring to a behind-closed-doors meeting Vance had with the Indiana Senate, speaking with Politico on the condition of anonymity.

According to another Republican who spoke with Politico, Vance’s meetings with both the Indiana Senate and House saw the vice president try to persuade members that Trump’s redistricting plan would be popular among voters when presented in the right context.

“Once you tell voters why you’re doing it, which is about fair representation, combatting [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom and what liberals are doing elsewhere to basically rig the maps – it’s about bringing fairness and balance to that – that’s persuasive and it moves people to support it overall, including statewide,” the Republican said, describing Vance’s argument to state lawmakers. “You can get independents to split on it, which is good, and you can actually pick up a few Democrats.”

However, Vance’s case flies in the face of recent polling that found a majority of Indiana voters oppose the mid-decade redistricting being pushed by Trump, a state that Trump carried in 2024 with nearly 59% of the vote.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for the Trump administration is the continued hesitation among Indiana Republicans themselves, dissent that has prompted the White House to begin crafting a plan to unseat lawmakers opposed to the redistricting effort.