Indiana lawmaker who opposed Trump's redistricting push is victim of a
swatting
[November 17, 2025]
By CHRISTOPHER WEBER
An Indiana lawmaker who resisted President Donald Trump's push to have
Republicans redraw the state's congressional boundaries was the victim
of a swatting call Sunday that brought sheriff's deputies to his home.
The call, in which someone reported a fake emergency at the Terre Haute
home of state Sen. Greg Goode, came hours after Trump criticized the
lawmaker and another state senator for their opposition to his plan.
Trump has been trying to persuade Republican-led states across the
country to aggressively redraw their congressional maps to help the GOP
hold the U.S. House in next year's midterm elections.
Deputies were sent to Goode's home after receiving an email “advising
harm had been done to persons inside a home,” according to a statement
from the Vigo County Sheriff's Office.
“All persons were secure, safe, and unharmed. Investigation showed that
this was a prank or false email (also known as ‘swatting’),” the
statement said. The incident is under investigation.
Goode, a Republican, wrote on social media that the responding deputies
were “under the impression of a domestic violence emergency.” He thanked
the deputies for acting professionally.
“While this entire incident is unfortunate and reflective of the
volatile nature of our current political environment, I give thanks to
God that my family and I are ok,” Goode wrote.
Earlier Sunday, Trump criticized Goode and Indiana Senate President Pro
Tem Rodric Bray for opposing a redistricting plan for Indiana.
Republicans already hold a 7-2 advantage in the state's congressional
delegation.
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Republican 3rd district congressional candidate Greg Goode talks
with supporters at a Johnson County Republican election watch party
in Overland Park, Kan., Aug. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
“Because of these two politically correct type 'gentlemen,' and a
few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the
House, a VERY BIG DEAL!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The goal of swatting is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT
team, to respond to an address by making bogus claims of violence
happening inside.
The Republican leader of Indiana's Senate announced Friday that his
chamber will no longer meet to vote on redistricting, citing a lack
of support from his members even after pressure from the White
House. Vice President JD Vance has visited multiple times to make
the case.
Democrats need to gain just three seats to win control of the House
next year, leading to Trump's strong-arming of GOP-controlled
states. Legislatures or commissions in Texas, Missouri, North
Carolina and Ohio have adopted new maps to boost Republicans’ odds,
while California and Virginia are poised to counter Trump's push and
redraw their own maps to benefit Democrats.
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