Indiana state Sen. Jean Leising (R) is the latest lawmaker to face intimidation over her refusal to bow to President Donald Trump’s demands to redraw the state’s districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Leising revealed in a Sunday post on X that her home “was the target of a pipe bomb threat on Saturday evening.” She placed the blame squarely on outside political forces, writing, “This is a result of the D.C. political pundits for redistricting.”
Despite the threat, Leising remained defiant, declaring that she would not “cave” to Trump’s redistricting demands. She also expressed her gratitude to local authorities, thanking the Oldenburg Town Marshall and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for responding to the threat.
She is not alone. At least seven other state senators in Indiana who oppose the redistricting plan have received threats. The Indiana State Police are also investigating threats made against Gov. Mike Braun (R) and Indianapolis City-County Councilmember Nick Roberts (D).
The escalation comes as Republicans in the Indiana state House were expected to push forward with their redistricting plan on Monday, following Trump’s threat to oust lawmakers who resist creating new GOP seats. The state Senate, however, has previously blocked similar redistricting efforts, setting up a tense standoff.
Leising’s experience highlights a growing pattern of intimidation in American politics, where threats are used to coerce elected officials into complying with partisan agendas. For lawmakers standing their ground, the stakes are no longer just political—they are personal and dangerous.
