The Republican state lawmaker from Indiana who opposed Trump’s redistricting push has fallen victim to a beating

An Indiana lawmaker who resisted President Donald Trump’s push to have Republicans redraw the state’s congressional boundaries was the victim of a phone call Sunday that brought sheriff’s deputies to his home.

The call, in which someone reported a fake emergency at state Sen. Greg Judd’s home in Terre Haute, came hours after Trump criticized the lawmaker and another state senator for opposing his plan. Trump is trying to persuade Republican-led states across the country to aggressively redraw congressional maps to help the GOP gain control of the US House of Representatives in next year’s midterm elections.

Deputies were dispatched to Judd’s home after receiving an email “advising of harm to people inside the residence,” according to a statement from the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office.

“All people were safe and unharmed. The investigation showed that this was a prank or false email (also known as a ‘swatting’),” the statement read. The incident is under investigation.
Goode, a Republican, wrote on social media that responding deputies were “under the impression that there was a domestic violence emergency.” He thanked the deputies for acting professionally.

“Although this entire incident is unfortunate and reflects the volatile nature of our current political environment, I thank God that my family and I are safe,” Judd wrote.

Earlier Sunday, Trump criticized Goode and Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Roderick Bray for opposing Indiana’s redistricting plan. Republicans already hold a 7-2 advantage in the state’s congressional delegation.

“Because these two politically correct kind of gentlemen, and a few others, could deny Republicans the majority in the House, which is a very big deal!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Read more: Indiana’s governor calls a special session to redraw US House maps as the redistricting battle expands

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The goal of the swatting is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to respond to an address by making false claims of violence occurring inside.

The Republican leader of the Indiana State Senate announced Friday that his chamber will no longer meet to vote on redistricting, citing a lack of support from its members even after pressure from the White House. Vice President J.D. Vance has visited several times to make the case.

Democrats need to gain just three seats to win control of the House of Representatives next year, leaving Trump strong-armed in GOP-controlled states. Legislatures or commissions in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have adopted new maps to boost Republicans’ prospects, while California and Virginia are preparing to confront Trump’s effort and redraw their own maps in favor of Democrats.