Former President Barack Obama on Thursday joined a digital assembly with Texas Home Democrats who left the state to disclaim Republicans the flexibility to go newly drawn GOP-favorable congressional maps, cheering on their efforts and stressing their work comes at a crucial time within the struggle towards partisan gerrymandering.
ABC Information is first to report on the assembly and its contents.
“We won’t let a scientific assault on democracy simply occur and stand by and so due to your actions, due to your braveness, what you have seen is California responding, different states what they’ll do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering,” Obama advised the Texas legislators as they gathered in Illinois.
He continued: “I need all of you to be returning feeling invigorated and know that you’ve helped to steer what’s going to be an extended wrestle. It is not going to be resolved instantly, and it’ll require, in the end, the American individuals understanding the stakes and realizing that we can not take our freedoms and our democracy as a right. You’ve got helped set the tone for that, and I am grateful for it.”
Former President Barack Obama speaks to a bunch of Texas Home Democrats on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Illinois.
Texas Home Democratic Caucus
He continued: “I need all of you to be returning feeling invigorated and know that you’ve helped to steer what’s going to be an extended wrestle. It is not going to be resolved instantly, and it’ll require, in the end, the American individuals understanding the stakes and realizing that we can not take our freedoms and our democracy as a right. You’ve got helped set the tone for that, and I am grateful for it.”
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, who chairs the state’s Home Democratic Caucus, mentioned in an announcement to ABC Information that members had been “particularly excited” concerning the assembly and Obama’s involvement is proof that their actions are supported by their get together “at each degree.”
“Having President Obama converse with us and help us is proof that when Texas Home Democrats get up and struggle again, we do not stand alone — we have now the help of Democrats at each degree who perceive that when Republicans assault voting rights in Texas, they’re attacking the inspiration of our democracy in all places,” Wu mentioned.
Wu mentioned Democrats needed to maintain the assembly nearly due to “Republican threats,” which he mentioned is proof of desperation from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“The truth that we have now to fulfill President Obama from an undisclosed location and through Zoom due to Republican threats and surveillance solely proves how determined Abbott and his extremist allies have develop into,” Wu mentioned. “They know their racial gerrymandering scheme is falling aside, in order that they’re resorting to intimidation techniques. However President Obama’s help reveals the entire nation is watching — and Texas Home Democrats will not be silenced by bullies.”
Obama was joined on the decision by former Legal professional Basic Eric Holder, who chairs the Nationwide Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC). In the course of the dialog, Holder up to date the caucus on his committee’s plans to push again on Republican efforts to encourage different crimson states to redraw congressional maps extra favorable to Republicans to get an edge for the midterms.
The previous president will proceed to focus on the continuing redistricting standoffs later this month when he headlines a fundraiser in Martha’s Winery hosted by the NDRC.
Holder and Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi may even attend the occasion, which is scheduled for Aug. 19.
Wu mentioned Thursday that the group may return to the state quickly on two situations: if the legislature’s first particular session adjourns Friday and if California Democrats introduce their redistricting proposal that may offset proposed Texas maps. Each of these situations are prone to occur Friday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced on Thursday that he was transferring ahead with placing proposed new congressional maps for the state on the poll in a Nov. 4 particular election in an try to counter Texas’ plans.
He mentioned state authorities will affirm its dedication to California’s impartial redistricting fee after the 2030 census, “however we’re asking the voters for his or her consent to do midterm redistricting in 2026, 2028, and 2030 for the congressional maps to reply to what’s taking place in Texas … and we’ll accomplish that in a method that additionally affirms our need as a state to degree the taking part in subject all throughout the US.”
The California legislature should go laws to place the redrawn maps on the poll.
ABC Information’ Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.
