WASHINGTON – Former President Barack Obama jumped into the nation's cross-country redistricting fight, calling Texas Republicans' push to add five new GOP congressional seats "a power grab that undermines our democracy."
Obama's remarks, made in a statement posted Aug. 5 on X, come as President Donald Trump has pressured Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the GOP-controlled Texas state legislature to approve new congressional maps to help Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House during the 2026 midterm elections.
"We can’t lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year’s midterm elections," Obama said.
More: Trump says Republicans are 'entitled' to more congressional seats in Texas
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, has helped lead Democratic efforts to fight the proposed Texas maps. Holder called the effort "an authoritarian move" during an Aug. 3 appearance on ABC's "This Week."
