Several Republican lawmakers in Indiana have become targets of dangerous threats after they declined former President Donald Trump's demand to reconvene for a special session on congressional redistricting. The political tension has escalated into real-world intimidation tactics against multiple state officials.
Swatting Incidents Target Multiple Senators
At least four Indiana state senators have experienced "swatting" attempts at their private residences, according to reports from the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The targeted legislators include Republican Senators Greg Goode, Spencer Deery, Dan Dernulc, and Rick Niemeyer.
Swatting involves making false emergency reports to law enforcement with the intention of triggering an armed response to a target's location. Senator Deery expressed his concern after police successfully prevented an attempt at his home. "It is disturbing that anyone would attempt to harm or intimidate lawmakers, but sadly not all that surprising in the current environment," Deery told reporters.
The threats expanded beyond swatting when Senator Andy Zay confirmed that his business received a bomb threat on Friday, marking another escalation in the intimidation campaign against Indiana Republicans.
Trump's Redistricting Demands Spark Conflict
The security threats began after Indiana Senate Republicans decided against holding a special session to redraw congressional district maps earlier this month. Despite holding a 7-2 majority in the state's congressional delegation, Trump had pushed for a complete Republican sweep, aiming for a 9-0 map ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray explained the decision in a formal statement: "Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state's congressional maps. Today, I'm announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December."
Political Fallout and Escalating Rhetoric
Trump responded angrily to the Indiana decision, specifically naming Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode as "RINO [Republican-In-Name-Only] Senators" in a Truth Social post. "Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats," Trump wrote.
The same day Trump published this criticism, Senator Goode—specifically mentioned in the post—experienced a swatting attempt at his home. Indiana Governor Mike Braun condemned the threats during a Thursday press conference, calling them "way beyond the pale" and directly appealing: "All I'm saying as governor—leader of the state—stop it."
The redistricting refusal represents a significant setback for Trump's broader political strategy. Meanwhile, a federal district court recently ruled that Texas's mid-decade redistricting effort constituted an illegal racial gerrymander, ordering the state to revert to its 2021 maps for the 2026 election.
This pattern of political rhetoric leading to threats against lawmakers has become increasingly common. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene recently reported security concerns after Trump criticized her position on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Similar dynamics now appear to be affecting state-level politicians who diverge from Trump's directives.
