☕ Texas's redistricting clash

Good morning!

Let’s dive into the messy political world of redistricting. It’s a complex part of our system, but one well worth understanding.

I’ve got 30 seconds

Some headlines from this morning:

• The state of Tennessee are set to execute death row inmate Byron Black, despite ongoing legal disputes over whether his defibrillator needed to be turned off during the procedure. Black was condemned to death for murdering his two daughters, but his lawyers argued the medical device would cause unnecessary pain if it shocked him during execution. The State Supreme Court overturned a trial judge's order requiring the defibrillator to be disabled, ruling the judge lacked authority to make that decision. Black's appeals claiming intellectual incompetence due to dementia and disability were also rejected.

• Republican Representative Nancy Mace announced Monday she will run for South Carolina governor in 2026, promising to be a "super pro-MAGA governor." The announcement marks Mace's shift back to supporting President Trump after she condemned his role in the January 6 riots in 2021. Trump had called Mace disloyal and backed her opponents in the 2022 primary after her criticism. Mace now joins a crowded Republican field for the governorship as a Trump loyalist.

• About 83% of U.S. adults report grocery prices cause them stress, with half calling it a major source of stress, according to a new Associated Press poll. The survey found that 33% of respondents consider grocery prices a minor stressor, while housing costs also rank highly among younger Americans. Grocery price stress affects adults across all age groups more than other financial concerns. The poll also found 40% of adults under 45 have used "buy now, pay later" services to afford essentials like groceries or entertainment.

• The U.S. will require bonds up to $15,000 from foreign tourists and business travelers under a new pilot program launching in two weeks. The State Department said Monday the program targets nationalities with high visa overstay rates and could generate $20 million annually. The bonds are intended to ensure visitors leave the country when their visas expire. The measure represents the latest immigration enforcement action by the Trump administration, which has increased arrests, deportations, and border security with Canada and Mexico.

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A Brazilian judge has placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for violating social media restrictions while awaiting trial on coup charges. The move escalates a political crisis that's now straining U.S.-Brazil relations as President Trump defends his former ally. Here's what you need to know.

What’s happening

Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro's detention after finding he used social media to encourage attacks on Brazil's Supreme Court and call for foreign intervention in the country's judiciary. Bolsonaro had been banned from social platforms last month as part of his bail conditions.

The far-right former president faces five charges, including attempting a coup after losing Brazil's 2022 election to left-wing rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The coup allegations

Investigators say Bolsonaro and seven allies planned to overturn the 2022 election results but abandoned the plot when they couldn't secure military support. An 884-page report detailed the alleged conspiracy.

After Lula's January 2023 inauguration, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's Congress, Presidential Palace and Supreme Court in scenes reminiscent of the January 6 Capitol attack.

Reactions

The case represents Brazil's biggest test of democratic institutions since its return to civilian rule in 1985. It's also creating diplomatic tensions with the U.S., where Trump has used Bolsonaro's prosecution to justify 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports.

"This amounts to clear encouragement and incitement to attack the Supreme Federal Court," Justice Moraes wrote in his ruling.

The U.S. State Department condemned the arrest, saying it "will hold accountable all those aiding and abetting sanctioned conduct."

Trump called the prosecution a "witch-hunt" and has used it to justify trade penalties against Brazil.

What happens next

Bolsonaro will remain under house arrest until his trial begins. The case could set a precedent for how Latin American democracies handle former leaders who allegedly attempt to subvert elections.

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Texas Republicans have authorized arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a redistricting vote that could create five new GOP congressional seats. The standoff represents the most dramatic escalation in the national fight over electoral maps since the 2020 census.

What happened?

At least 51 of the state's 62 House Democrats left Texas on Monday, denying Republicans the two-thirds quorum needed to vote on new congressional maps. Most fled to Illinois, where the Democratic governor said he won't cooperate with Texas authorities.

Texas Republicans responded by authorizing civil arrest warrants allowing state troopers to track down and return the Democrats to the capitol building.

Why Democrats fled

The proposed maps could flip up to five congressional seats from competitive or Democratic-leaning to safe Republican districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrats say this constitutes illegal gerrymandering - the term for drawing districts to favor one party.

"This is about protecting voting rights and fair representation," said Democratic State Rep. Chris Turner, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus.

The redistricting process

Every decade after the U.S. Census, states must redraw congressional and legislative districts to ensure equal population. In 34 states, including Texas, the majority party in the legislature controls this process, giving them significant power over electoral outcomes.

The 2020 census gave Texas two additional congressional seats due to population growth, making the redistricting fight even more consequential.

Governor’s response

Governor Greg Abbott escalated the conflict by threatening Democrats with bribery charges for accepting donations to cover their $500-per-day absence fines. He also said their protest could constitute "abandonment of elected office," potentially leading to their removal from the legislature.

"They will be arrested and brought back to the Texas capitol," Abbott said Tuesday.

What’s next

The Texas standoff could trigger similar battles nationwide. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he would redraw his state's districts to favor Democrats if Texas proceeds with its maps.

"If Texas weaponizes redistricting, we're not going to sit back and take it," Newsom said.

Democrats say they plan to remain absent until the special legislative session ends in two weeks, though some have indicated they may return sooner. The maps are likely to pass eventually, given the Republican majority and Democrats' inability to stay away indefinitely.

The fight highlights the broader national battle over voting rights and electoral fairness that's expected to intensify as more states complete their redistricting processes.

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