Trump invites Indiana Senate GOP leader, lawmakers to White House amid redistricting fight: report

President Trump has invited the Indiana Senate GOP leader and other state Republican lawmakers to the White House amid a redistricting fight, according to a report.

Trump invited Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and others to face-to-face Oval Office meetings starting as early as this week – in an attempt to convince them to join his redistricting effort to give the GOP an advantage in the midterm elections, POLITICO reported.

Bray effectively ended the effort by saying his chamber does not have enough votes for its passage, 

The White House did not respond to POLITICO's request for comment about the timing or agenda of those meetings.

At least one senator told POLITICO about their invite, which they received by phone on Friday.

On Tuesday, state lawmakers will gather at the Indiana Statehouse for a day of ceremonial activities, where there are expected to be protests. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has not yet said whether the lower chamber, which has the votes to pass new congressional maps, will convene on Dec. 1 to take up the issue.

Bray said Friday:" “Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state’s congressional maps. Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December.” 

The Trump administration and state leaders have launched redistricting efforts in multiple states this year, with new congressional maps having already passed in Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina. Some Democratic-led states, like California, are redrawing their own maps to counter potential conservative gains. 

Trump called out Indiana Republicans on Sunday over redistricting.

"Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats," Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump also suggested state GOP lawmakers not on board with the redistricting plan should be challenged in a party primary in any reelection bid. 

"The Democrats have done redistricting for years, often illegally, and all other appropriate Republican States have done it. Because of these two politically correct type 'gentlemen,' and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!"

Several hours after Trump's post, Goode's house was “swatted.”