Several Republican lawmakers in Indiana have received threats after they canceled a special session to redraw congressional maps at the behest of President Donald Trump.

At least four state senators have received “smackdown” threats, which is when a person calls in a false emergency in hopes of triggering an armed response from authorities.

Republican Sens. Greg Goode, Spencer Deery, Dan Dernulc and Rick Niemeyer have been targeted in attempts to crush their homes, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported Thursday.

“It’s disturbing that someone would try to harm or intimidate lawmakers, but unfortunately it’s not all that surprising in the current environment,” Deery told the publication after police “thwarted” an attempt at his home.

In addition to the swatting attempts, Republican Sen. Andy Zay said Friday that his business received a bomb threat.

Several members of the Indiana Senate, which meets at the Indiana Capitol in Indianapolis, say they have been targeted
Several members of the Indiana Senate, which meets at the Indiana Capitol in Indianapolis, say they have been the target of “swatting” attempts.

via News

The threats began after lawmakers refused to comply with Trump’s demand to call a special session and vote on new congressional maps earlier this month. Republicans have a 7-2 majority, but Trump had hoped Indiana would produce a 9-0 map before next year’s midterm elections.

“Over the past several months, Senate Republicans have very seriously and thoughtfully considered the concept of redrawing our state’s congressional maps,” Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said in a statement at the time. “Today I announce that there are not enough votes to advance that idea and that the Senate will not reconvene in December.”

“Very disappointed in the Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO [Republican-In-Name-Only] Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their state, allowing the United States Congress to gain perhaps two more Republican seats,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday.

That same day, Goode, called by name by Trump, was crushed.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) told reporters Thursday that the threats are “far beyond what is acceptable.”

“All I’m saying as governor, leader of the state, is enough is enough,” Braun added.

The move against a special session in Indiana was a blow to Trump in his fight over redistricting. And on Tuesday, a federal district court ruled that Texas’ mid-decade redistricting enacted in August is illegal racial gerrymandering and ordered the state to use its 2021 maps for the 2026 elections.

Trump’s rhetoric has routinely (and increasingly) appeared to endanger lawmakers, including those in his own party. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) received threats after Trump criticized her on social media for her support of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late sexual predator and close personal friend of Trump.

“I am now being contacted by private security companies with warnings about my safety as the most powerful man in the world is fueling and inciting a hotbed of threats against me,” Greene said of Trump in a post on X, formerly Twitter, last week.

In recent days, Trump has become even less subtle in his calls for violence. On Thursday, Trump suggested that Democratic veterans in Congress should be hanged for releasing a joint video urging U.S. military service members to disobey illegal orders.

“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” Trump posted on Truth Social. He also shared a post from a user calling for the assassination of lawmakers, saying, “HANG THEM, GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD DO IT!!”