WASHINGTON — Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday he believes mid-decade redistricting is a “mistake” on both sides that could ultimately lead to more political violence.
“I think this will lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country,” he said on NBC News' “Meet the Press,” blaming both parties for redrawing the maps to improve their chances in next year's midterm elections.
Paul pointed out how members of the minority party would feel if politicians redrew districts to increase the power of the majority party.
“Like my state, we're a very Republican state, but we have one Democratic district in Louisville, and we have a Democratic congressman. We could split Louisville and get rid of that one congressman,” he said. “But how does that make Democrats feel? I think it makes them feel like they're not represented.”
Asked again to clarify whether he believes redistricting measures could lead to political violence, Paul told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker: “I think there's a possibility that when people don't have representation, they feel disenfranchised, that it can and could lead to violence in our country.”
His comments appeared after Indiana State Senate rejected a redrawn congressional map designed to benefit Republicans in next year's elections. Texas' move to redraw maps to try to turn five seats red has kicked off a nationwide battle over redistricting in states across the country.
President Donald Trump has turned his attention to Indiana in recent weeks, urging state lawmakers to pass maps that favor the GOP or else he will support underlying issues. After he criticized state legislators in Truth Social posts, at least 11 Indiana Republicans faced threats or spankings.
An NBC News Analysis found that at least 22 officials from both parties faced threats in recent weeks after Trump publicly criticized his political opponents.
Paul argued that both parties are to blame for redistricting, pointing to California as an example of how Democrats are seeking to reduce Republican representation.
California voters in November approved Democrats' new congressional map could allow the party to win up to five seats next year. The map was drawn up in response to Texas' attempt to redraw county lines.
“In general, when things get this extreme, like if there's no or one Republican representative left in California after this is done, I think that's what makes people so unhappy,” he said. “They think, 'Well, the electoral process doesn't work anymore. We may have to resort to other means.”
“And I don't want that to happen, and I think it could happen to both sides, but I think we need to be aware of it and think about it before we do any of this,” he added.
Paul said he doesn't know how the parties can de-escalate the situation.
Last week, Rep. James Clyburn, D-J.D. also condemned attempts at redistrictingsaying in an interview with “Meet the Press” that he agreed with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, who criticized redistricting and said that “if you fight fire with fire long enough, all you'll be left with is ashes.”
Clyburn also said last week that the country is experiencing a “repetition of history that led to some catastrophic consequences in our previous history.”
