'We're after you Bray': Trump targets Indiana GOP leader as Virginia Democrats advance redistricting

President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray on Saturday regarding last month’s rejected congressional redistricting plan that would have favored the GOP.

The criticism follows Friday's vote in Virginia, where the Democratic-controlled legislature passed a constitutional amendment to redraw its own congressional maps before the November midterms. If voters approve the measure in a special ballot referendum, Democrats could be in position to gain as many as four House seats.

Trump, on the Truth Social platform, said Bray "betrayed the Republican Party, the President of the United States, and everyone else who wants to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Vice President JD Vance also called out Bray, a Republican, for not 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,” Vance posted on X. “We told you it would happen, and you did nothing.”

Previously, Vance claimed Bray "told the administration he wouldn't fight redistricting while whipping his members against it."

National and state Republican leaders, including Gov. Mike Braun, have said they would seek to primary the Senators who voted against the redistricting plan.

Trump, in the Saturday post, said that he and David McIntosh, the president of the Club for Growth, the anti-tax advocacy "will both work tirelessly together to take out Indiana Senate Majority Leader Rod Bray..."

"We’re after you Bray, like no one has ever come after you before!"

Bray won reelection in 2024 to a term that continues through 2028, He could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday.

Trump has urged Republican-led states to conduct an unusual, mid-decade redistricting effort aimed at helping Republicans hold onto their majority in the U.S. House in this year's midterm elections.

But last month, 21 of the 40 Indiana Senate Republicans joined Democrats to defeat the redistricting plan, that included breaking up the Democratic stronghold of Marion County into four sprawling districts. It was the first time Trump's redistricting push has been voted down by members of his own party.

The political dispute appears to have escalated into reported threats against several Republican lawmakers. Following a social media post from Trump criticizing Indiana Republican leaders, multiple state senators reported incidents including pipe bomb scares and swatting attempts at their homes and businesses. The Indiana State Police are investigating the incidents..

Legislators condemned the intimidation tactics and said the pressure campaign would not sway their decisions.

The Indiana General Assembly is currently in session.

Eric Weddle is WFYI's education editor. Contact Eric at eweddle@wfyi.org or follow him on X at @ericweddle.