The Find Out Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: The Gerrymandering War is Here (featuring Texas Rep. Greg Ksar)
Host/Author: Find Out Podcast
Release Date: August 5, 2025

Introduction to Key Topics

In this episode of The Find Out Podcast, the hosts dive into two major political controversies: former President Donald Trump's dismissal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner and the ongoing gerrymandering efforts in Texas spearheaded by Governor Greg Abbott. The discussion is both insightful and spirited, reflecting the podcast's commitment to honest and engaging discourse about America's political landscape.

Trump’s Dismissal of the BLS Commissioner

The episode opens with Host 1 addressing President Trump's recent decision to fire the BLS commissioner following the July employment report, which showed a modest job gain of 73,000—far below expectations. Trump was reportedly angered by previous revisions that had decreased job numbers by 258,000 in June and May.

Notable Quote:

• Host 1 (00:00): "Trump's economy's not doing too well. And so his reaction was to fire the woman that literally was handed the number and reported it out."

The hosts critically examine the potential political motivations behind Erica McIntarfer's revisions, highlighting her role in the Biden administration's job count adjustments.

Notable Quote:

• Host 2 (01:05): "If this woman was politically motivated, she did a terrible job for Biden And Kamala Harris, let's just start there."

The conversation underscores the complexity of economic data interpretation and the dangers of politicizing statistical reports.

Understanding Economic Data and Its Manipulation

The hosts delve into how job numbers are calculated and frequently revised, emphasizing that revisions are a standard part of economic reporting based on ongoing data collection and analysis.

Notable Quote:

• Host 1 (02:12): "They release the jobs numbers every Friday... it's how it always worked."

Notable Quote:

• Host 2 (04:25): "Everything is a conspiracy when you don't understand how anything works."

They caution against oversimplifying or misrepresenting economic indicators to fit political narratives.

Texas Gerrymandering: The Heart of the Episode

The latter half of the podcast centers on the controversial gerrymandering efforts in Texas. The hosts explain how Governor Abbott, in collaboration with allies like Trump, is attempting to redraw congressional districts mid-decade—well ahead of the standard ten-year census cycle.

Notable Quote:

• Congressman Greg Ksar (31:36): "Trump is the most corrupt president in American history... they have this corrupt scheme to change our election rules radically redraw and re gerrymander Texas."

Governor Abbott’s maps are criticized for diluting the voting power of minority communities, effectively engaging in racial gerrymandering despite the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Notable Quote:

• Host 1 (16:46): "They are drawing districts that were intentionally made illegal by LBJ signing that law back in 1965."

The discussion highlights the strategic removal of Democratic strongholds, such as replicating Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s district with Greg Ksar’s, thereby reducing Democratic representation.

Notable Quote:

• Congressman Greg Ksar (34:37): "They have essentially still... eliminated a Latino majority district in the Houston area."

Guest Interview: Congressman Greg Ksar

The episode features an in-depth interview with Congressman Greg Ksar from Texas, chair of the Progressive Caucus in the U.S. Congress.

Key Points from the Interview:

1. Corruption and Manipulation:

   • Ksar accuses Trump and Governor Abbott of manipulating election rules to secure power, neglecting disaster relief efforts in favor of partisan gerrymandering.

   Notable Quote:

   • Congressman Greg Ksar (33:24): "Donald Trump's already said he wants to go to Missouri next, then Ohio, then Louisiana or Alabama."

2. Impact on Minority Voters:

   • The redistricting efforts aim to disenfranchise black and brown voters, a direct violation of established civil rights protections.

   Notable Quote:

   • Congressman Greg Ksar (35:55): "If they're able to do it here in Texas, they're going to [disenfranchise voters] across America."

3. Calls to Action:

   • Ksar urges listeners to support the Texas Justice Fund, amplify the voices of threatened legislators, and participate in local elections to defend democratic processes.

   Notable Quote:

   • Congressman Greg Ksar (47:07): "Help them out. And then if we're going to do everything we can to stop this plan... we're not taking that lying down."

4. Future of Gerrymandering Battles:

   • He discusses potential retaliatory gerrymandering by blue states like California and New York, emphasizing the need for national solutions to prevent partisan map manipulations.

   Notable Quote:

   • Congressman Greg Ksar (46:51): "We need to get to national ends to gerrymandering."

Strategies and Responses

The hosts and Congressman Ksar debate various strategies to counteract gerrymandering, including:

• National Legislation: Advocating for federal laws and independent commissions to oversee redistricting processes.

  Notable Quote:

  • Host 1 (24:53): "I think we should have a national law and, like, national independent commissions to actually do the maps."

• Political Retaliation: Encouraging blue states to redraw their districts in response to Republican maneuvers, thereby leveling the playing field.

  Notable Quote:

  • Host 5 (25:11): "These Democratic states can design trigger laws... We punish bad behavior and incentivize good behavior at the same time."

• Grassroots Mobilization: Emphasizing the importance of public support and engagement to sustain the fight against undemocratic practices.

  Notable Quote:

  • Host 1 (26:51): "We need to make sure our message is really clear out there."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support affected legislators, participate in electoral processes, and remain vigilant against authoritarian tactics. The hosts reiterate their commitment to defending democracy and encouraging proactive measures to ensure fair representation.

Notable Quote:

• Host 1 (46:44): "If our districts are like a piece of string across, like we won't have any electoral power."

Final Words from Congressman Ksar:

• Congressman Greg Ksar (48:30): "We're not taking that lying down. We're not letting Latino voters and black voters just be disenfranchised that way."

Key Takeaways

• Economic Indicators and Politicization: The episode highlights the risks of manipulating economic data for political gain and stresses the importance of understanding standard economic reporting practices.

• Gerrymandering as Political Strategy: Texas serves as a case study for how gerrymandering can be used to suppress minority votes and reduce opposition representation, posing a significant threat to democratic integrity.

• Legislative and Grassroots Resistance: Through Congressman Ksar’s insights, the podcast underscores the necessity of both legislative action and grassroots support to effectively combat undemocratic practices.

• National Implications: The strategies discussed extend beyond Texas, suggesting that similar tactics could be employed nationwide, thus requiring a unified and informed response from democratic forces.

This episode of The Find Out Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of current political maneuvers aiming to undermine democratic processes, providing listeners with both context and actionable steps to engage in the preservation of fair representation in America.