Reflections on authoritarianism

Indiana's likely obedience to Trump's redistricting demand bears chilling resemblance to other oppressive systems

Thousands pack the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday, Sept. 19 to protest the mid-cycle gerrymandering plan that could leave all nine Indiana congressional districts virtually guaranteed to be held by Republicans.

The fight over Indiana’s proposed 2025 mid-decade redistricting plan is more than a technical debate about district lines. It is an encapsulation of our era's intense struggle over democracy itself. It is well-known that Indiana leans Republican and voted for Trump by nearly a 20-point margin. However, when lawmakers consider rewriting maps to all but eliminate the political power of the 40% of Hoosiers who lean Democrat, they echo core traits of authoritarian systems.

“This is a civil rights issue; this is about our right to free speech; this is about our right to vote.” — Rep. André Carson (D-IN-7)

While such a claim may sound extreme on its face, I invite you to consider some recent statements from members of Indiana's congressional delegation in relation to two highly oppressive political systems: Authoritarianism and fascism. I am not suggesting that any of our elected representatives are themselves authoritarians - that would subscribe an awareness and intentionality that I cannot assume is at work. However, the resemblances between some of their statements about this plan, and the basic features of authoritarian systems, are unfortunately chilling.

Authoritarianism in Action

Authoritarianism is broadly defined as a system of government where power is concentrated in a single leader or group, and citizens’ political freedoms are limited. While members of the oppressed minority may still make relatively free choices in their lives (for example, where they work, how they spend their money, what media they consume) their ability to influence policy, economics, or the distribution of social power is basically removed.

In Indiana, the push to redraw congressional districts mid-cycle demonstrates this impulse. For example, Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN-4) took the cynical approach of pointing to other states' districts in order to justify quashing Democratic voters here in Indiana: “Hoosiers are fed up with our voice being drowned out by partisan gerrymandering in liberal states like Illinois. Trump won Indiana by nearly 19 points – our congressional map should reflect that.” Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-6) agreed, saying "I support the President’s call to counterbalance radical blue states’ governors like Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker who’ve long manipulated districts in California and Illinois. Their gerrymandering efforts undercut fair representation. Hoosiers can help turn this tide." And Hamilton County's own Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN-5) has embraced the proposal, saying: “Given developments across the country, I fully support mid-cycle redistricting."

That eagerness to manipulate democratic rules to entrench power reflects an authoritarian tendency to prioritize control over fair competition. While Republican representatives can try to say they are only seeking to counterbalance political decisions in other states, the effect here in Indiana will be outright, anti-democratic oppression of all remaining political influence by the minority party.

Fascist Echoes?

Fascism is an extreme, more frightening form of authoritarianism. It is rooted in distorted, propagandistic ultranationalism, cultlike worship of a strongman political figure, determined rejection of the ideals of pluralism and individual rights of self-determination, and glorification of violence and conflict as political tools. In a fascist society, people may have certain rights subscribed in law but are terrorized into submission by extralegal social forces. Given the horrible history in World War II associated with fascism, it is understandable that people recoil at the notion that anything happening today may resemble this no-holds-barred form of control over political life.

However, some of the rhetoric we have heard in support of the redistricting plan evokes some of this tone, especially in its veiled accusations that Democrats have actually been the violent oppressors (despite being in the superminority in our state). For example, Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-3) declared on X: “Democrats have proven they will use every tool available to them to gain and keep power. For years, Republicans have idly stood by while the Left has weaponized government against us. It’s time for us to drop the gloves. At this moment, our state has the opportunity to give conservative Hoosiers the representation in D.C. they deserve. I stand with President Trump, it’s time to redraw Indiana’s congressional map!"

His framing pits one group of Hoosiers against another, falsely accusing Democrats of dangerously wielding power that they don't actually have here. It casts politics as violent combat rather than shared governance based on reason and compromise. And it frames adoption of oppressive maps as a noble act of patriotism and alignment with the current president, showing willingness to sacrifice democracy within Indiana to please the national party leader. Rep. Stutzman could have voiced his support for the redistricting plan in any number of ways - but when he chose to evoke violence and strongman worship in his language, he bent his message towards the tenets of fascism.

When President Donald Trump stood in front of thousands gathered to mourn conservative media figure Charlie Kirk's tragic death and loudly declared, "I hate my opponents, and I don't want what's best for them," no Indiana Congressional Republican objected to the vileness and dangerousness of that statement. It makes one wonder how far our reps are actually willing to go to exert total control of our state, for good. If our GOP reps wonder why we compare their words and actions to that of fascists, they should look no further than to their party leader for the answer.

“Indiana Republicans are being pressured by Washington Republicans to do something they know in their hearts is wrong.” — Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at the Statehouse rally opposing mid-cycle redistricting.

Resistance and Democratic Survival

Fortunately, voices of resistance are strong. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN-1) warned: “They [the Republicans] are afraid of checks and balances, and they are afraid that they know that their policies have hurt individuals." His words highlight why minority representation matters: to keep power accountable. Similarly, Rep. Carson’s framing of redistricting as a civil rights battle underscores that democracy depends on competitive elections where all communities have a voice. State Democrats, like Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, have also condemned the proposal as an unethical power grab. And most recently, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg came to the Indiana Statehouse to rally Democrats and independents against the redistricting plan, accusing the GOP of being willing to cheat and illegally stifle political opposition rather than defend their policies on the merits. The opposition of these and other leaders demonstrates the civic courage required to stand up to authoritarian tendencies.

A Call to Action

Authoritarianism thrives when citizens grow complacent. Fascism gains ground when people accept politics as a zero-sum battle between “us” and “them.” Indiana’s redistricting proposal contains distressing hints of both of these — and thus serves as a warning. The lesson is clear: Democracy only survives if ordinary people defend it. The proposed redistricting is not just about lines on a map; it is about whether Indiana will remain a place where elections are meaningful and diverse voices can be heard. If you agree, connect with the Statehouse now to express your concerns and help stop this proposal in its tracks.