On November 14, Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray announced that there weren’t enough votes within the Republican-controlled chamber to move forward with a special redistricting session scheduled for December 1. The decision blocked Trump’s efforts to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps, which currently give Republicans a 7-2 advantage. Supporters of the plan had wanted lawmakers to craft a map in which all nine districts favored Republicans, potentially expanding the GOP’s delegation from seven to nine seats.

Trump’s response was swift and unforgiving. On November 16, the president took to Truth Social to attack Republican leaders, calling the rejection a “MONUMENTAL BETRAYAL” and singling out Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray and state Sen. Greg Goode for personal criticism. Trump labeled them as “RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode” — using the derogatory term “RINO” meaning “Republican in Name Only” — and accused them of potentially costing the party its House majority.

“Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats,” Trump wrote. “Because of these two politically correct type ‘gentlemen,’ and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!”​

Trump also directed criticism at Governor Mike Braun, a Republican who had endorsed Trump’s campaign and called the special legislative session. 

“Considering that Mike wouldn’t be Governor without me (Not even close!), is disappointing!” Trump posted, suggesting the governor “perhaps, is not working the way he should to get the necessary Votes.”

On Monday, November 17, Trump reiterated his threat to back primary challengers against any Indiana state senators or House members who voted against redistricting. “I will be strongly endorsing against any State Senator or House member from the Great State of Indiana that votes against the Republican Party, and our Nation, by not allowing for Redistricting for Congressional seats in the United States House of Representatives,” he posted. “We must keep the Majority at all costs.”​

Trump allies amplified the message with even more aggressive rhetoric. Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump adviser, declared: “A MONUMENTAL BETRAYAL IS UNFOLDING IN INDIANA RIGHT NOW. The entire MAGA movement will be mobilizing to Indiana to PRIMARY and OUST every last RINO blocking these essential reforms to RESCUE our nation, this will include the totally clueless and weak State Senate President.”

The political campaign took a darker turn on Sunday when state Sen. Greg Goode, the Republican whom Trump had specifically criticized, became the victim of a swatting incident at his Vigo County home. Hours after Trump’s attacks, law enforcement responded to a false report of a domestic violence emergency at Goode’s residence. The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident was a deliberate swatting — the practice of making false emergency reports to trigger armed law enforcement response — and launched an investigation with federal authorities.​ Goode and his family were unharmed.

The president has successfully pressured other GOP-controlled states — including Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio — to redraw their maps to expand Republican advantages. However, Indiana joined Kansas as states where internal GOP resistance derailed Trump’s efforts.

California voters approved Proposition 50 in early November, expected to create five additional Democratic-leaning congressional districts, while Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia are also pursuing redistricting. A Utah district judge also rejected the GOP-dominated legislature’s congressional map, instead approving an alternate map that will create a Democratic-leaning district.