December 13, 2025

The Big Picture: More polarization

Members of the Indiana Senate debate the redistricting plan backed by President Trump in the state capitol Thursday.

Zach Bundy/WFYI

President Trump was handed a big loss this week. And it came at the hands of Indiana Republicans.

Trump was hoping to get two more seats out of Indiana for the GOP in an effort to hold onto control of the U.S. House next year. Indiana already had a partisan congressional seat breakdown of 7-2 in favor of Republicans. This effort aimed to make that 9-0.

But the Indiana Legislature voted the effort down this week in what is arguably the biggest direct rebuke of Trump by officials in his party. And they did it despite pressure from Trump and threats of violence.

With Democratic efforts in California and Virginia aimed at counterbalancing Republican gerrymandering in a number of states, the Great Mid-Decade Redistricting Arms Race is increasingly likely to end up a wash in terms of which party benefits most next year.

But bigger picture: Congressional districts have been gerrymandered to a point where there are fewer and fewer competitive districts, and the political incentives are moving away from compromise.

So all this, spurred by yet another Trump attempt to hold onto power, may end up meaning an even more divided Congress.

— Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent

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ICYMI: Top Stories

Dan Duffy uses a tractor to plant soybeans on land he farms with his brother on April 28 near Dwight, Ill.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Economic struggles: President Trump traveled to Pennsylvania to preach his affordability agenda. At the same time, he’s called the affordability crisis a “hoax” and some Americans, including those on the right, feel like he may be losing the plot.

Shaky waters: U.S. service members are seeking advice from outside groups over concerns of potential legal consequences for their involvement in the Trump administration’s controversial lethal strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.

Congressional dissents: While many Republicans on the Hill have stayed in lockstep with the president, allowing Trump to expand presidential powers, some are trying to reassert their position as an independent branch of government.

AI orders: Trump signed an executive order to stop states from regulating the artificial intelligence industry. If states do pass such laws, the federal government is ready to sue over it. But the move may exceed executive authority.

It’s for the farmers: As Trump’s tariffs continue to hit farmers where it hurts, the administration announced a $12 billion one-time bailout to those struggling to make ends meet. But farmers are worried it might not be enough.

Font wars: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strong feelings on what font should be used on official documents. Instead of typing in Calibri, which was used by the Biden administration to accommodate accessibility needs, the State Department is switching back to Times News Roman.

— Saige Miller, NPR producer

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Going Deeper: Redistricting resistance

Obed Lamy/AP

As more than a dozen states embark on an uncommon mid-decade redistricting process, most at Trump’s request, Indiana is refusing to follow the president’s orders.

Even though Indiana voted for Trump, the Republican-led state senate voted against a measure to redraw congressional boundaries. The move would have helped shepherd more Republicans to the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections.

NPR’s Sam Gringlas took a trip to the Midwest state to understand why Hoosiers on both sides of the political aisle aren’t sold on the partisan redistricting push.

— Saige Miller, NPR producer

The Shot: The woman, the myth and the legend

NPR

From the adolescent hit Freaky Friday, to a mother-in-crisis on the hit TV show The Bear to starring in new releases like Ella McCay, actress Jamie Lee Curtis has made her mark in Hollywood and as a household name.

NPR’s Rachel Martin sat down with Curtis to dive into the past, the present and future of the star's life in the most recent – and funny – episode of “Wild Card.”

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