Rand Paul warns redistricting from both parties 'might lead to violence'

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., warned that redistricting efforts from both Republican and Democratic states could potentially lead to political violence on "Meet the Press" Sunday.

Paul was asked about his thoughts on nationwide redistricting after the Republican-controlled Indiana state Senate rejected a new congressional map that would have added two new GOP House seats.

"You know, it’s this escalation on both sides," Paul said. "Both sides are doing it, and so is one side going to sit quietly and not do it? You can argue who started it. But I do think this, and, this is on the negative aspect of both parties doing this, I think it's going to lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country because think about it."

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., criticized redistricting efforts on both sides of the political aisle. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

He continued, "If 35% of Texas is Democrat, solidly Democrat, and they have zero representation. Or like in my state, we're a very Republican state, but we have one Democrat area in Louisville and we have a Democratic congressman. We could carve up Louisville and get rid of that one congressman, but how does that make Democrats feel? I think it makes them feel like they’re not represented."

Paul did not solely blame Republicans or Democrats for the redistricting fight but expressed concerns about how far it has escalated.

NBC host Kristen Welker asked Paul to clarify what he meant by believing political redistricting could lead to violence.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new congressional map into law that added five new GOP House seats. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

"I'm saying it's a mistake for both parties," Paul said. "I know exactly how we de-escalate this, because once Texas is done and changed five seats to be more Republican, California's gonna do the same thing. And it's back and forth, and back and forth. How do you put the genie back in the box? How do you get back to détente? How do you do something better? I think there is the potential that when people feel they have no representation, that they feel disenfranchised, that it could lead, that it might lead to violence in our country."

Redistricting battles have occurred throughout the country ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In August, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a new congressional map that added five Republican-leaning U.S. House districts.

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California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom responded by backing a ballot initiative that would give the Democrat-dominated state legislature the power to draw a new congressional map and add five Democratic-leaning districts.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom spearheaded efforts to redistrict his state in response to Texas. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

In a comment to Fox News Digital, Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards suggested President Donald Trump and Abbott were to blame for the redistricting efforts.

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"The Senator should direct these concerns to the President and the Governor of Texas. California’s redistricting was solely in response to their actions — we urged them to back off. They unfortunately refused," Richards said.

Fox News Digital also reached out to Abbott's office for comment.