President Trump needs new congressional maps in Texas — now. Not within the subsequent decade. Not after the following census. Not when it’s historically achieved. He needs it achieved smack dab in the midst of the last decade.
Why the odd timing? As a result of he needs it achieved in time to assist his presidency.
In Trump’s thoughts, Texas is a merchandising machine: insert redistricting, obtain 5 shiny new Republican seats. “We are entitled to five more seats,” he declared on CNBC, his voice dripping with the royal “we” of somebody who thinks democracy is nothing however a loyalty program.
That is merely the newest instance of Trump’s fondness for procedural hardball. He lately sacked the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner for reporting job numbers he didn’t like. And his congressional minions simply handed a bipartisan invoice that required Democratic votes to get by, solely to make use of funds “rescissions” to take again the Democratic priorities they by no means meant to fund.
Trump performs Calvinball with democracy — guidelines change mid-play, and he’s by some means at all times the one scoring.
And right here’s the factor: It’s not unlawful. “Not unlawful” in the identical manner that consuming milk straight from the carton isn’t unlawful — simply gross, petty and an announcement to the room that you just’re not eager about dwelling by any mutually agreed-upon requirements. (Belief me. I’ve youngsters.)
The Texas gambit, although, is completely Trumpian in its bold recklessness. It would work. Or it would backfire and really value Republicans 2026 midterm seats. However both manner, this aggression is radioactive.
Take into account the rapid response. Texas Democrats, missing the votes to dam the transfer, fled the state completely — denying Republicans the quorum they wanted to conduct enterprise.
This, in flip, was met with all of the subtlety of a bounty hunt. The Texas Home speaker signed civil arrest warrants for the lacking lawmakers. The governor ordered state officers to go looking each warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse. (Simply kidding. That was Tommy Lee Jones in “The Fugitive.” However, actually, it’s a reasonably shut approximation.)
Powder keg vibes abound. What occurs if and when a Texas lawman tries to slap cuffs on a Democrat in New York or California? Can we get a full-blown interstate standoff? A stay cable information shootout of sheriffs and state troopers on the airport terminal gate?
Even when nothing that loopy occurs, legislators making $600 a month are being fined $500 a day for his or her absence. And the governor has even threatened bribery charges in opposition to anybody serving to them pay the fines.
However right here’s the place the escalation actually kicks in. Even when the Texas Democrats fold and slink again to Austin (actually, they don’t have a lot leverage), blue states are already eyeing retaliation.
California, New York, Illinois — they may all mud off the gerrymander machine to carve out further Democratic seats. (Sure, some blue states handed map drawing to impartial commissions, however energy has a manner of discovering the crowbar it wants.)
That is mutually assured destruction with ballots as a substitute of missiles.
And the kicker? After either side squeeze each final seat out of their respective states, this complete exhausting mess may internet Republicans one or two further seats — or perhaps none in any respect.
At this level, you may be questioning “How did we get right here?”
I’m reminded of an previous story — presumably true, in all probability apocryphal — about how circus elephants are educated.
After they’re infants (calves), elephants are chained to a stake they’ll’t pull up. They attempt to fail, and finally they cease making an attempt.
As adults, weighing a number of tons, they may stroll away from the stake they’re chained to at any time. However they don’t. They’ve realized the stake is “unbreakable.” Resistance is futile.
Trump is the elephant who by no means acquired that memo. To him, the stake — the norms, the Structure, the establishments — is a suggestion, not a restraint.
The larger drawback? Everybody else has now seen Trump change into unmoored from accountability — with impunity. They think about they’ll do it, too.
Republicans who used to quietly admire their very own prudent “restraint” now consider they only lacked creativeness. And Democrats are beginning to consider that enjoying good equates to enjoying useless.
And so, the stakes are popping out of the bottom all over the place.
We used to think about there was an invisible line — one which politicians wouldn’t cross out of disgrace, responsibility or worry of the abyss.
Seems, the abyss has a DJ and an open bar. The individuals hurtling towards it aren’t falling. They’re hovering.
Matt Ok. Lewis is the writer of “Filthy Rich Politicians” and “Too Dumb to Fail.”
