Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is raising the alarm over what she calls Donald Trump’s “masterplan” to manipulate congressional maps in key states like Texas and Ohio, with the goal of cementing Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives—even if he loses the presidency.
Appearing on Roland Martin Unfiltered recently, Rep. Crockett (D-TX) outlined how the president is actively working behind the scenes to target Democratic seats through aggressive redistricting efforts, particularly in already gerrymandered states.
She revealed that she and fellow Texas Democrat Rep. Al Green were among the first to be notified they were in Trump’s crosshairs.
“The first two phone calls that I got from the House—while they were still in session and before any reporting had come out—were that he wanted to come after myself and Al Green,” said Crockett. “Ultimately, it came out that he wanted to squeeze out an additional five seats [in Texas].”
Currently, Democrats hold only 13 of Texas’s 38 House seats, while Republicans control 25—an imbalance Crockett attributes to extreme gerrymandering. Trump’s reported efforts to redraw districts could shrink Democratic representation even further.
Trump’s Playbook: “Two Can Play This Game”
According to Crockett, Trump has zeroed in on states like Texas and Ohio where Republican-led legislatures could redraw maps to oust vulnerable Democrats. In Ohio, Crockett says the former president is allegedly targeting two women lawmakers.
“He remembers what happened during his first term—he only had control of the House for the first half,” she explained. “Instead of allowing the people to rise up… he’s trying to rig the system ahead of time.”
Trump has already called a special session in Texas for mid-July, raising concerns among Democrats that redistricting could be added to the agenda, a move that could swiftly alter district lines in favor of Republicans before the 2024 election.
Will Blue States Retaliate?
Crockett also suggested that if red-state legislatures proceed with these aggressive tactics, Democratic governors in blue states may respond in kind by challenging Republican strongholds in their own states.
“If you want to sit up here and try to play with those Democrats that are in red states, then we can play with the Republicans that are in blue states,” she warned.
The implications of this strategy are significant: if Republicans can manipulate district lines to preserve a House majority, Trump could wield significant influence over Congress.
Systemic Concerns: “The System Is Rigged”
Crockett was frank about the limits of Democratic efforts in heavily gerrymandered states.
“It’s not because we’re not working. It’s not because we’re not trying to win,” she said. “But when the system is rigged against you, there’s only so much you can do.”
For now, Democrats are urging voters, activists, and lawmakers alike to stay vigilant.
“People need to wake up and understand,” Crockett said. “This isn’t just about politics—it’s about power. And Trump is already making his move.”
