Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on Indiana Senate Majority Leader Rodric Bray, accusing him of betraying the Republican Party over redistricting and vowing political retribution.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 10:26 PM EST 01.17.26
I was with David McIntosh of the Club for Growth, and we agreed that we will both work tirelessly together to take out Indiana Senate Majority Leader Rod Bray, a total RINO, who betrayed the Republican Party, the President…
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 18, 2026Trump said on Truth Social, “I was with David McIntosh of the Club for Growth, and we agreed that we will both work tirelessly together to take out Indiana Senate Majority Leader Rod Bray, a total RINO, who betrayed the Republican Party, the President of the United States, and everyone else who wants to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! We’re after you Bray, like no one has ever come after you before!”
David McIntosh, former Indiana congressman and current president of the Club for Growth, echoed Trump’s stance on X, declaring, “President Trump and I are aligned. Rod Bray is going down.”
GOP leaders join the criticism
Other senior Republican figures also criticized Bray. Vice President J.D. Vance posted on X, “I’d like to thank @bray_rodric for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power. Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing.”
I'd like to thank @bray_rodric for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power.
Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing. https://t.co/oj1XvXHKvM
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 17, 2026Support for redrawing Indiana’s congressional boundaries had already come from top GOP officials. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Governor Mike Braun backed the effort, with Braun convening a special legislative session in October 2025 to debate the proposal. Bray publicly countered that the chamber lacked the votes to pass the measure, effectively stalling the governor’s push.
National context of redistricting battles
Trump has urged Republican-controlled states to redraw congressional maps mid-decade to secure more GOP seats in the 2026 midterms. Democrats have also pursued redistricting strategies, with Virginia House Democrats approving a constitutional amendment to redraw maps. Indiana’s resistance stands out because the state is considered a Republican stronghold, highlighting broader GOP efforts to expand their narrow U.S. House majority.
What happens next
It remains uncertain whether Indiana lawmakers will revisit redistricting. Trump’s repeated threats suggest he intends to back primary challengers against Bray and other Republicans who opposed the measure. Bray has not yet issued a public response to Trump’s latest remarks.
