Trump Urges Texas Legislature to Redraw Districts
Attempt to Increase House Seats in Republican Strongholds
"Five More Seats in Texas, Three to Five in Other States"
As the United States approaches the midterm elections in November next year, President Donald Trump has sparked controversy over gerrymandering?redistricting that favors a particular party or candidate?by discussing ways to increase the number of Republican seats in the House of Representatives through federal congressional district reallocation.
Yonhap News reported on the 15th (local time), "President Trump, when asked about the adjustment of House seats in Texas during a meeting with reporters at the White House in Washington, DC, said, 'I think the Republicans will gain five additional seats.'" He also reportedly stated, "We will gain an additional three to five seats in some other states," adding, "Texas will be the biggest. The number of seats will increase by five."
When asked whether he wanted a comprehensive federal congressional redistricting before next spring, he replied, "No. It is a very simple redistricting," and added, "We will gain five seats in Texas, and about two more seats in other states."
Previously, Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, reported that "the White House and the Department of Justice are urging Republican lawmakers in the Texas state legislature to redraw districts so that the Republican Party can gain five more federal House seats in Texas." As President Trump confirmed this report, criticism has arisen that gerrymandering is underway to increase seats in Republican-leaning areas.
Currently, in the federal House of Representatives, the Republicans hold 220 seats, the Democrats hold 212 seats, and three seats are vacant. Of the 38 House seats allocated to Texas, the Republicans hold 25 and the Democrats hold 12, with one seat vacant. It has been reported that Republican lawmakers in the Texas state legislature plan to address the redistricting issue during a special session next week.
For President Trump, maintaining the Republican majority in both the House and Senate in next year's midterm elections is a crucial goal. In response, Democratic House members representing Texas districts, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, held a press conference in the morning, declaring, "We will fight against President Trump's redistricting plans."
However, there are also concerns that redistricting could potentially disadvantage the Republican Party. Politico analyzed, "If more Republican voters are placed in Democratic districts, the Republican Party's competitiveness increases, but if voters are removed from current Republican districts, it could dilute the Republican advantage," adding, "Such changes could give the Democratic Party the potential to secure more seats in Texas than in other regions."
Nevertheless, President Trump stated on his social networking service (SNS), "I hear talk about Texas 'turning blue (Democratic),' but that is just another Democratic lie," and added, "If there is a suitable candidate, Texas will not turn blue."
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