Indiana state Senator Mike Bohacek said Monday that his family “received threats of a bomb placed at our home” after the Republican lawmaker publicly opposed former President Donald Trump’s push for a new congressional map in the state.
Why This Matters
Indiana’s redistricting fight has deepened rifts inside the Republican Party and attracted national scrutiny. Trump’s intervention highlights how high the stakes are in the battle over the state’s congressional lines as both parties look ahead to control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections.
The decision Indiana ultimately makes could influence how other states approach mid-cycle redistricting and shape voter representation and campaign strategies across the country.
Key Details
According to WRTV anchor Nicole Griffin, Bohacek said in a statement shared on X Monday:
“On Friday, Nov. 28, my family and I received threats of a bomb placed at our home. My family and I are safe, and law enforcement is currently investigating the threats made against us. I’d like to thank the Long Beach Police Department, the Porter County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Police for their quick response and assistance during this investigation.
“This recent pattern of threatening behavior and intimidation attempts are not only concerning, but also illegal. I hope to see justice for this type of behavior. I will not be providing any additional information at this time as law enforcement conducts their investigation.”
Bohacek recently came out against the Trump-backed redistricting push in Indiana, pointing to “derogatory references” made by the former president about Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz. In a Truth Social post, Trump, 79, referred to Walz as “seriously retarded.” Bohacek’s second daughter has Down syndrome.
Other Democratic lawmakers have likewise raised alarms about a rise in threats after releasing a video urging American troops to refuse illegal orders, which sparked backlash from Trump.
On Monday, Indiana House Republicans rolled out a proposed congressional map intended to give the GOP an advantage in all nine of the state’s districts.
The draft would divide Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, into four districts, potentially weakening Democratic strength—particularly in seats held by Representatives Frank Mrvan and André Carson, Politico reports. The plan could deliver two additional House seats to Republicans.
These moves come as Trump continues pressuring Indiana’s GOP leadership to pass a map favoring his party, which currently holds a slim majority in the U.S. House, ahead of the 2026 elections.
How Others Are Responding
U.S. Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a statement posted on X Monday and reported by NOTUS Reports’ Daniella Diaz, also referenced bomb threats directed at his offices:
“This morning, I was informed by law enforcement entities throughout New York of multiple bomb threats that were made at my offices in Rochester, Binghamton, and Long Island with the email subject line ‘MAGA’ and from an email address alleging the ‘2020 election was rigged.’ Local and federal law enforcement responded immediately and are conducting full security sweeps. Everyone is safe, and I am grateful for their quick and professional response to ensure these offices remain safe and secure for all New Yorkers.
“As I have said many times, these kinds of violent threats have absolutely no place in our political system. No one—no public servant, no staff member, no constituent, no citizen—should ever be targeted for simply doing their job.”
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Republican, said in a statement on November 25:
“The issue of redrawing Indiana’s congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state. To resolve this issue, the Senate intends to reconvene as part of the regular 2026 session on Dec. 8 and make a final decision that week on any redistricting proposal sent from the House. Because we will reconvene as part of the regular 2026 legislative session, we anticipate concluding our regular 2026 session by the end of February.”
What’s Next
The Indiana House is expected to vote on the proposed map. If it passes, the measure will move to the state Senate, where opinions remain split.
If the Senate rejects the map or delays a decision, redistricting could be pushed off until a future election cycle—leaving the existing map in place for the 2026 midterms.
