Indiana Republican senators are facing threats and intimidation as they navigate pressure from President Donald Trump to approve a controversial mid-decade redistricting plan aimed at expanding the party’s influence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Lawmakers say the aggressive tactics and personal threats have turned their professional and personal lives upside down.
Senators like Spencer Deery, Linda Rogers, and Jean Leising have reported incidents ranging from swatting attempts and pipe bomb scares to threats at homes and family businesses. Deery described a recent swatting attempt while his son waited for the school bus, which authorities were able to intercept safely. Leising called the process “very dangerous and intimidating,” while Rogers emphasized that loyalty to party leadership does not mean compromising personal values. Trump has publicly named senators he believes “need encouragement” to vote in favor of the plan, and conservative groups have promised to fund primary challenges against those who oppose it.
The proposed redistricting plan, which would redraw Indiana’s congressional map to favor Republicans, has sparked resistance even among staunch party members who value tradition and voter accountability. Some senators oppose the plan, arguing it undermines democratic norms and carries the appearance of partisan cheating. Supporters of the map have also faced threats, including Republican Sen. Andy Zay, whose business received a pipe bomb scare on the same day he learned of a primary challenger targeting his criticism of Trump’s effort.
While Trump enjoys strong support in Indiana, the state’s political culture shows signs of independence from his influence. Some local Republicans, like former Gov. Mitch Daniels, have publicly criticized the mid-decade redistricting push. The proposed map splits Indianapolis into multiple Republican-leaning districts, diluting Democratic influence in the city. As the Senate prepares to consider the bill, lawmakers stress the importance of civil discourse amid the heightened tension and threats surrounding the vote.