An Indiana Republican delivered a shocking claim Thursday as he pleaded with his GOP colleagues to go along with a scheme backed by President Donald Trump to conduct a mid-decade redistricting.
Republican state Sen. Mike Gaskill of Pendleton made particularly stark declarations while lawmakers debated.
“I will submit to you that the Second U.S. Civil War has already started. They’re just using surrogates,” Gaskill declared, according to Newsweek.
He added, “I submit to you that that’s accurate.”
Gaskill also invoked historical comparisons, telling colleagues they could “either be Churchills or Chamberlains,” referencing World War II-era British leadership.
The hyperbolic proclamation fell on deaf ears, as the Indiana Senate voted to deal Trump and the gerrymandering scheme a significant setback. The chamber rejected the remapping proposal by a whopping 19-31 margin. The failed push came despite enormous pressure from the Trump administration and inflammatory rhetoric from supporters of the measure. It also came as defiant Republicans face swatting threats, as well as promises from Trump allies that they’ll face a primary challenge.
The proposed redistricting map aimed to consolidate Republican control over all nine Indiana congressional seats, eliminating the two districts currently held by Democrats. Several Republican senators expressed reservations. Sen. Greg Goode, who had remained uncommitted before the vote, objected to constituent complaints about county divisions and criticized the “over-the-top pressure” applied by both internal and external forces, though he emphasized his affection for Trump.
Republicans have pursued map changes in Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina. In response, California voters recently approved Democratic-friendly measures that aim to add up to five Democratic Congressional seats.
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