Bulwark Takes: Rep. Fletcher – Trump May LOSE the Texas Map Fight!

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Host: Sarah Longwell
Guest: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (Texas)
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the latest developments in the Texas redistricting fight, particularly a landmark court decision rejecting a mid-cycle map drawn under pressure from Donald Trump and Governor Abbott, which sought to bolster Republican seats. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joins Sarah Longwell to break down what the recent court ruling means, its implications for democracy, the likely path through the Supreme Court, and the shifting dynamics among minority voters in Texas. They also tackle the broader strategic and ethical questions about redistricting wars and how Democrats should respond nationally.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background on the Texas Redistricting Case

• Recent Ruling Details:
  • A federal three-judge panel blocked the 2025 congressional map favored by Trump and Governor Abbott, forcing the state to revert to the 2021 map for the 2026 elections ([03:11]).
  • The 2025 map was designed without a new census, an unusual and aggressive tactic in American politics ([17:12]).

2. Significance & Hope from the Court's Decision

• Quality and Courage of the Ruling:

  • Fletcher praises the ruling's thoroughness and courage, noting that the presiding judge is a Republican appointed by Trump ([03:11], [04:16]):

    "This is a real profile in courage, and we don't see that many of those around here these days." – Rep. Fletcher ([04:16])

  • Legal teams received special mention for their effective, years-long preparation ([03:11]).

• Legal Reasoning:

  • The decision centered on constitutional violations—specifically, discrimination against Black and Hispanic Texans in violation of the 14th and 15th Amendments ([07:23]).
  • No Voting Rights Act claims, so the case is insulated from certain Supreme Court precedents ([09:17]).

    "It's not a voting rights case. There's no VRA claim that's going to get mixed up with the other VRA case that the Supreme Court's currently considering." – Rep. Fletcher ([08:34])

• Procedural Next Steps:

  • Texas has already appealed; the case is headed to the Supreme Court. The next immediate step is whether a stay will be granted allowing use of the new map for 2026 ([06:57]).

3. Will the Ruling Stick? Examining the Supreme Court's Role

• Strength of the Opinion:
  • Fletcher expresses optimism given the strong, evidence-based 160-page majority decision and the weakness of the dissent ([07:23]).
  • The focus on constitutional violations (not statutory ones) may help its chances before the Supreme Court ([09:17]).

4. Changing Demographics and Republican Overreach

• Republican Assumptions About Hispanic Voters:

  • Longwell points out Republicans bet on a pro-GOP realignment among Hispanics—which isn’t materializing ([10:10]).
  • Fletcher agrees, saying the GOP overestimated their new advantage and the current political environment favors Democrats reclaiming ground ([10:39]):

    "We've always thought we could compete. They'll be hard. These are frontline races. Either way, we feel very optimistic..." – Rep. Fletcher ([11:10])

• Backfire of Gerrymandering and Public Mobilization:

  • The attempt to disenfranchise is uniting and angering voters across the political spectrum ([12:15]).

    "...what they're trying to do is so undemocratic with a not just a capital D, but a lowercase D, that it's really gonna backfire." – Rep. Fletcher ([12:57])

5. Broader Redistricting Wars & Democratic Strategy

• Is It Time for Turnabout?
  • Longwell raises whether, since the GOP escalated, Democrats should fight fire with fire—e.g., redrawing maps in Virginia and California ([13:27]).
  • Fletcher responds that for real reform, Democrats must win Congress and the White House. Until then, it’s necessary to fight on practical terms ([14:21]):

    "[W]e have to operate in the how it is. And right now there is no way we're going to have real democracy reform...unless Democrats take back control of the House and the Senate and ultimately the White House." – Rep. Fletcher ([15:08]) "[W]e cannot unilaterally disarm in this moment...we have got so much at stake in these elections." – Rep. Fletcher ([16:30])

6. Why Texas Was a Redistricting Shockwave

• Historical Parallels:
  • Texas has previously attempted mid-decade redistricting (e.g., Tom DeLay era), but this latest move was even more brazen ([18:23]).
• Grassroots Resistance:
  • Legislators broke quorum, community activists showed up en masse, and legal teams acted swiftly—demonstrating that mobilization can lead to real change ([19:19]).

    "People really mobilized around this...my takeaway in all of it is...it should give us all so much hope that when we come together, right, when we mobilize, we really can change things." – Rep. Fletcher ([20:05])

• Message to Listeners:
  • This case stands as a reminder that resilience, organization, and activism can alter the political landscape, even after setbacks ([20:20]).

7. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Judicial Courage:

  • "This is a real profile in courage...and so I think that that is important." – Rep. Fletcher ([04:16])

• On Democracy and Redistricting:

  • "[W]hat they're doing...in the end, it takes away the agency and the beauty of citizenship for all of us who are trying to participate in this process." – Rep. Fletcher ([12:32])

• On Democratic Tactics:

  • "We cannot unilaterally disarm in this moment. And we can't just sort of be happy to be on the high road because we have got so much at stake in these elections." – Rep. Fletcher ([16:29])

• On Optimism After Setbacks:

  • "[T]here are a lot of good people out there trying to do the right thing. And we just need to organize and mobilize all of that energy." – Rep. Fletcher ([20:27])

8. Texas as a Communications Case Study

• Texas legislators’ high-profile quorum break and dramatic resistance drew national attention to redistricting abuse ([21:03]).
• Even when tactics might not change the outcome immediately, they elevate the issue and energize advocates ([21:44]).

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:10 | Introduction; Fletcher’s background on the issue | | 03:11 | Explanation of court ruling and what it means | | 06:57 | Prospects on Supreme Court review and legal nuances | | 09:17 | Focus on constitutional claims vs. Voting Rights Act | | 10:39 | Political consequences for Republicans in Texas and shifting demography| | 13:27 | Discussion on national redistricting wars and ethics | | 14:21 | Fletcher’s position on Democratic response strategy | | 18:23 | Roots of activism and resistance in Texas, coalition efforts | | 20:05 | Tone of hope and lessons for future elections | | 21:03 | Communications significance of Texas resistance |

Conclusion

This episode provides a nuanced, hopeful, and insider’s look at the tumultuous Texas redistricting battle. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher emphasizes the role of legal excellence, judicial independence, and organized grassroots resistance in turning the tide. Both guests agree the fight is far from over—both in court and in the court of public opinion—but maintain that with unity and determination, democracy can indeed push back against anti-democratic maneuvers. The Texas example is cited as a bellwether for national strategy, offering both a warning and an inspiration as the country heads toward the 2026 and 2028 elections.