Protest against Trump promoting redistricting, Texas Democratic legislators collectively "flee" to block voting.

Jin10 reported on August 4 that Democratic lawmakers in Texas announced they would leave the state to temporarily block Republicans from advancing their redistricting plan, which is driven by Trump and aims to expand Republican power in the 2026 midterm elections. By "walking out," the Democrats will make it impossible for the state legislature to reach the minimum quorum required for voting. Texas House Democratic leader Gene Wu stated, "We are not avoiding our responsibilities, but protesting a manipulated system that refuses to listen to the voice of the people." The timing of this redistricting is unusual, as Trump has identified it as one of the core strategies to help Republicans expand their power in the 2026 midterm elections. In response, Democratic governors such as California's Newsom and New York's Hochul have threatened to retaliate by redrawing their own state districts.