Former President Barack Obama gave a sharp warning to Democrats during a call with Texas lawmakers who fled their state to block Republican-led redistricting plans.
Obama joined members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus on a Zoom call Thursday. The group had left Texas for Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts earlier this month to prevent a quorum on redistricting.
During the 30-minute meeting, Obama said the Trump administration is trying to redraw maps unfairly to gain more seats in Congress before the midterm elections. He described the effort as “fixing the game.”
Obama avoided mentioning Trump by name, but criticized efforts to gerrymander districts, suppress voters, overturn election results, and politicize government agencies. “Those are trend lines that remind us this democracy is not a given,” he said.
He urged Democrats to remain strong, saying, “It requires us to fight for it. It requires us to stand up for it.” He stressed that unfair maps weaken the power of voters.
Republicans argue new maps would help them keep control of the House. Trump has pressed for a “simple redrawing” of Texas that could give Republicans five new seats next year.
Texas maps are usually redrawn only once every decade, after the national census. The decision to pursue mid-decade redistricting, experts say, breaks tradition and shows the high stakes of the upcoming elections.
Obama said Republican leaders know their policies are not popular, so they are using redistricting to tilt elections. “That’s not fair,” he said. “That’s not how democracy is supposed to work.”
Thank you, President @BarackObama, for joining Texas House Democrats today.
Your words reminded us why we broke quorum:
Democracy isn’t self-executing. It requires us to stand up and fight for it.We’re honored by your support. #txlege pic.twitter.com/5gSNQEfHvR
— Texas House Democrats (@TexasHDC) August 15, 2025
He praised the Texas Democrats for leaving the state and called their action “courageous.” He credited them with inspiring states like California to consider ways to offset Republican-led gerrymandering.
The caucus itself highlighted the support on Twitter. In a post, they wrote they were “honored” to have Obama standing with them. Obama replied on Twitter that he was “so proud” of their courage.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder also joined the call. Holder now leads the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which funds campaigns and legal cases against redistricting in Texas, Ohio, and other states.
Holder told lawmakers his group is focusing resources on key states where Republicans are trying to gain an advantage. He stressed that winning legal battles in court is as important as political action.
Obama will headline a fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard later this month for Holder’s group. It will be only his second fundraiser since last fall, showing how much he values this issue.
For many Democrats, Obama’s words were a much-needed boost. Texas Rep. Gene Wu, who chairs the caucus, said, “President Obama’s support shows the whole country is watching, and we won’t be silenced by bullies.”
The caucus also wrote in a social media post that it was “honored” to have Obama’s support. The former president responded that he was “so proud” of the Texas caucus members for their willingness to “put themselves on the line.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to fine, arrest, or even remove the Democratic lawmakers who left the state. Republicans say the absences are preventing government from doing its work.
Abbott has also hinted at possible criminal charges, though legal experts question whether such steps would stand up in court. The lawmakers say they are ready to face whatever comes next.
Obama told them that their stand was drawing national attention. “Because of your actions, because of your courage, California responded. Other states are now looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering,” he said.
Democrats argue that Republicans are trying to reduce minority voting power by dividing communities across several districts. Analysts say such maps could weaken Democratic chances in several key races for years.
Republicans counter that redistricting is a routine part of politics and that both parties have used it when they hold power. They accuse Democrats of grandstanding rather than engaging in debate.
Still, the involvement of Obama and Holder shows Democrats see this battle as more than a state fight. For them, it is part of a larger effort to defend national democracy.
Obama ended the call by thanking the lawmakers for their stand. “I am grateful to you for helping Americans understand the stakes,” he said. “You have reminded people that democracy is not self-executed.”
For Texas Democrats, the fight is far from over. The longer they stay away, the greater the risk they face at home. But with Obama’s backing, they say they will not give in.
