President Donald Trump has urged Texas Republicans to redraw the state's congressional map in a mid-decade redistricting effort aimed at securing five additional GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Trump conveyed this directive during a phone call with Texas GOP members, emphasizing a "very simple redraw" to gain these seats. The tentative plan includes targeting districts such as TX-28, TX-34, TX-32, and areas around Houston and possibly Austin. This move is part of a broader Republican strategy to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The redistricting follows Department of Justice concerns about racial gerrymandering in four Democratic districts. The plan has drawn sharp criticism from Texas Democrats, who describe it as a threat to democracy and a political maneuver to rig the electoral map. Despite opposition, Trump maintains that similar efforts in other states, including California, are acceptable. The redistricting initiative is expected to be considered in a special Texas legislative session later in July 2025.