POLITICS NEWS – Obama warns of “Systematic Assault on Democracy” in Texas redistricting fight

Ananya Roy, News Writer

Former President Barack Obama delivered his sharpest critique yet of Republican-led redistricting efforts, telling Texas House Democrats in a private Zoom call that the GOP’s push to redraw congressional maps represents a “systematic assault on democracy.” Praising the lawmakers for delaying the vote on new maps that could give Republicans as many as five additional U.S. House seats, Obama urged continued resistance to what he called “highly irregular” mid-decade gerrymandering. He argued that fair competition should be the goal, ideally through independent commissions, but said Republicans have instead sought to dilute Democratic voting power by splitting or concentrating their districts.

Joined by former Attorney General Eric Holder, Obama linked the Texas battle to broader threats under President Donald Trump’s administration, citing voter suppression, questioning of election results, and the “militarization of cities” as warning signs. While acknowledging the fight will be long, he called on Democrats to keep pushing for fair maps and voting rights, saying the health of U.S. democracy depends on it. The remarks come as Texas Democrats prepare to end a nearly two-week standoff, clearing the way for the legislature to vote on the Trump-backed maps. Obama is set to continue his redistricting push at a Martha’s Vineyard fundraiser for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee next week.