More than 5,000 people gathered at the Capitol in Austin on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and the Texas Legislature鈥檚 plan to redraw the state鈥檚 congressional districts in the 2026 midterm elections.
The , which sparked by Texas House Democrats, is projected to give Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.
More than 50 House Democrats originally earlier this month to prevent the new map鈥檚 passage during the legislature鈥檚 first special session. On Thursday, they for returning to the chamber and signaled their intention to participate in the state鈥檚 , which began on Friday.
Congressman Greg Casar, an Austin Democrat, praised the lawmakers' actions during Saturday鈥檚 protest.
鈥淚f Trump and Abbott had their way they would鈥檝e passed these maps weeks ago,鈥� Casar told a cheering crowd. 鈥淭rump doesn鈥檛 have a plan to win the election, he has a plan to rig the election.鈥�
The Congressman was referencing the White House鈥檚 for Republican-led states to redistrict, . States led by Democrats have signaled their own intentions to do that same. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken the lead: The Sunshine State revealed on Friday.
At Saturday鈥檚 rally, former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso told the crowd this push by Republicans to 鈥済errymander鈥� in several states comes from fear of retaliation.
鈥淚f they cannot maintain their purchase on power in the [U.S.] House of Representatives, then there will be a check on their lawlessness, accountability for their crimes and corruption,鈥� O'Rourke said.
That accountability could look like impeachment for Trump in the U.S. House. If Democrats take control of the chamber after the 2026 midterms, he believes that鈥檚 a very real threat.
For now, though, that is a far off possibility. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) told protestors Democrats鈥� immediate goal is to stop what is in front of them now. But Doggett also acknowledged that planning ahead is necessary.
鈥淚f, despite our steadfast opposition, his redistricting bill is signed into law next week 鈥� and some think it will 鈥� the question is 鈥榃hat do we do then?鈥� Besides boo,鈥� Doggett said.
Doggett believes the best thing Democrats can do is vote in 2026, even in Republican-leaning districts. He told the crowd that Trump not being up for reelection could benefit Democrats.
鈥淗e鈥檚 not going to be on the ballot to draw the MAGA vote,鈥� Doggett said. 鈥淎nd in that is nearest the one we are standing right now, Hispanics have a strong majority and Biden got 49% against Trump.鈥�
Texas House Democrats for the second special session, where they won't have the numbers to prevent the Republicans' push to implement new congressional maps.
