Obama Sounds Alarm on Redistricting and Democracy

Former President Barack Obama recently engaged in a significant discussion regarding the contentious issue of redistricting during a Zoom call with Texas House Democrats. This conversation, which took place on August 15, 2025, highlighted what Obama described as a “systematic assault on democracy” stemming from Republican efforts to redraw congressional maps in Texas.

In a 30-minute video obtained by CNN, Obama commended Texas Democrats for their resistance against the Republican initiative aimed at securing as many as five additional GOP seats in the U.S. House. He emphasized the importance of standing against what he termed a systematic assault on democracy, urging the Democrats to continue their fight against mid-decade gerrymandering, which he deemed irregular and detrimental to fair representation.

Obama articulated a vision where redistricting should be conducted in a non-partisan manner, ideally through independent commissions that ensure fair competition between Democrats and Republicans. However, he acknowledged that the current political landscape has shifted, prompting Republicans to manipulate the drawing of maps to their advantage. “The problem that we’ve been seeing… is that the Republicans increasingly recognize their ideas won’t sell, so we’ve got to fix the game a little bit,” he stated, criticizing tactics that dilute Democratic voting blocs.

The former president’s remarks come amid a broader national conversation about redistricting, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and other senior Democrats also taking steps to create new congressional maps for the upcoming midterm elections. Obama’s call to action resonated with the urgency of the situation as he noted the importance of fair voting rights and equitable maps for the health of democracy.

He did not shy away from addressing the broader implications of current political trends, including voter suppression and the militarization of cities, which he believes threaten the foundational principles of democracy. “We’re in a moment right now where not just gerrymandering, but efforts at voter suppression… remind us this precious democracy that we’ve got is not a given,” he cautioned.

As Texas Democrats prepare to conclude their standoff over redistricting, paving the way for the approval of the controversial maps, Obama’s message remains clear: fair competition and representation are essential for a thriving democracy. His call for unity and resilience among Democrats highlights the ongoing struggle for equitable representation in the face of political maneuvering.

With his upcoming appearance at a Martha’s Vineyard fundraiser for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Obama is expected to continue advocating for reform in the redistricting process and the protection of democratic values. “You’ve helped set the tone for that, and I’m grateful for it,” he told the Texas Democrats, reinforcing the importance of their efforts in this ongoing battle for democracy.