The Supreme Court has blocked a new Missouri congressional map designed to help Republicans gain an extra House of Representatives seat, claiming that it would create “electoral chaos.”
The map had been previously used for the Missouri primary elections this year, and Republican Governor Mike Kehoe criticized the Court’s decision on that basis, saying the state should have consistency between elections. At the same time, Kehoe said Missouri would comply with the ruling.
The decision is the latest in a string of conflicts regarding voter redistricting since President Donald J. Trump reentered office in 2025. Trump has taken an active interest in the issue, most notably backing successful Republican primary challengers to Indiana state senators who opposed redrawing the state’s congressional map.
In its comment regarding the decision, the Supreme Court mentioned that ordering a change to the proposed map would be disruptive during an ongoing election, referencing the fact that Missouri has already begun mailing ballots out. Of course, this issue could be avoided if states reverted to treating in-person voting as the default expectation, another issue the Trump administration has pushed for since the 2020 election.
Trump directly targeted the Court in response to its ruling, posting on Truth Social, “The Supreme Court of the United States will just not let Missouri have an Election Victory. They continuously, three times now, overrule Judges who came to the correct decisions.” The state will have to use a congressional map that is expected to give Republicans from the state a 6-2 margin in the House, rather than a 7-1 margin.
While the Court may have technical reasons for its decision, Trump is right to continue pushing the issue, and pressuring Republican politicians who don’t play the game to win. If Republican politicians truly believe that Democratic radicals need to be kept away from power by all means necessary, they should naturally use every available tool they have, including redistricting, banning or at least heavily restricting mail-in ballots, and requiring voter ID. Otherwise, they are heading into elections fighting with one hand tied behind their back.
