Republican whose child has Down syndrome opposes redistricting after Trump’s ableist slur | Indiana

An Indiana Republican lawmaker whose child has Down syndrome has vowed to oppose efforts to redraw the state’s congressional map to favor his party after Donald Trump leveled a slur about people with intellectual disabilities at a political opponent.

Michael Bohacek, a member of the Indiana State Senate, wrote on Facebook Friday that he has been “an unapologetic advocate for people with developmental disabilities” since one of his daughters was born with Down. Referencing how the president used an ableist slur to insult Tim Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, a day earlier, Bohacek’s post added: “His word choices have consequences. »

“I will vote NO on redistricting, maybe he can use the next 10 months to convince voters that his policies and behavior deserve a majority in Congress.”

Bohacek’s opposition to Trump comes after the latter’s administration pressured Republican lawmakers in Indiana to redraw their congressional district boundaries. The goal would be to give Republicans more seats in the House of Representatives as their party attempts to maintain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.

Indiana lawmakers are expected to consider such a partisan redistricting measure later in December. But state Senate leaders have warned there isn’t enough support in the legislative chamber to pass a congressional redistricting plan.

In mid-November, Trump called for primary election challenges to any Indiana Republican senator who “votes against this important redistricting, which could impact America itself.”

“They…should DO THEIR JOB AND DO IT NOW!” Trump’s Truth Social message said. “Otherwise, let’s remove them from power.” »

Since Trump took office, at least nine state Republican officials have been victims of swatting attacks, which involve making fake emergency calls in hopes of drawing a heavily armed law enforcement response to homes, according to NBC News. State Sen. Jean Leising, a Republican, said she was the target of a pipe bomb threat Saturday. “This is the result of DC’s political experts on redistricting,” she wrote on X, alongside a photo of herself saying she would not back down on her opposition to redistricting.

Mike Braun, governor of Indiana, a supporter of redistricting, said he too had received threats. “Enough is enough,” he wrote on X. “These threats against lawmakers, including those I and my family have received in recent days, must stop. »

Bohacek vowed to defy Trump’s wishes after a separate message about the president’s truth. In it, written after two National Guard members were shot and killed in Washington, DC, Trump said he would “permanently suspend” all immigration from “third world countries,” invoking Minnesota’s Somali community while insulting Walz as “seriously retarded.”

Many Facebook users who responded to Bohacek’s post thanked him for taking a stand against Trump, although some lamented that it took something so close for him to oppose the president.

“You should care about people even if it didn’t affect you or your immediate family,” read one typical response. “I’m glad that at least you understand that now. And thank you for your current position.”

Bohacek has been a member of the Indiana Senate since November 2016, when Trump won his first presidency.

Indiana is one of several states where America’s two major political parties are debating whether or not to engage in partisan redistricting.

Meanwhile, in August, Texas approved new congressional maps intended to help Republicans gain up to five seats in the 2026 midterms. In November, California responded by passing a redistricting measure intended to allow Democrats to gain the same number of seats.