Former President Barack Obama has come out in full support of Texas Democrats who fled their state to avoid voting on a Republican-backed redistricting bill, calling their move “inspiring” during a private virtual meeting with the lawmakers.

The meeting, confirmed by an Obama spokesperson, took place over Zoom and was arranged with the more than 50 Texas House Democrats who have been absent from the Capitol for weeks. By leaving the state, the group has denied the legislature the quorum needed to pass the redistricting measure, which is expected to give Republicans five additional congressional seats.

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, posted about the meeting on X, thanking the former president and claiming his words encouraged the group to “remain committed to fighting for democracy in Texas & across the country.” According to Wu, Obama framed their absence as part of a broader effort to “protect free and fair elections” nationwide.

The redistricting plan, backed by President Donald Trump and Texas Republican leaders, comes after the latest census and is designed to reflect population growth while strengthening GOP representation. Democrats have characterized the proposal as an “egregious gerrymander,” while Republicans argue it’s a lawful and necessary adjustment to ensure fair districting.

To block the vote, the Democrats left Texas and traveled to locations including Chicago, New York, and Boston. Their absence has halted legislative business, frustrating Republican lawmakers and leaving constituents without representation.

In response, Texas Republican leaders have filed legal action to compel the lawmakers to return to the state. They have also warned that continued refusal to participate could lead to removal from office. The standoff has raised concerns about setting a precedent in which elected officials can derail legislation simply by leaving the state.

The Democrats have issued terms for their return, stating they will only come back if the legislature agrees to adjourn without plans to meet again or if California implements its own redistricting changes to offset Republican gains in Texas. On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his intention to pursue such changes, explicitly framing them as a countermeasure to the Texas plan.

Obama has previously voiced public support for the Democrats’ actions, posting on X earlier this month that the Texas GOP’s proposal was “a power grab that undermines our democracy.” His most recent show of support underscores the alignment between national Democratic leadership and the Texas lawmakers’ strategy of avoiding a direct vote.

Wu said the group was “especially excited” to hear from Obama and claimed their meeting had to be conducted from an “undisclosed location” because of alleged “Republican threats and surveillance.” He accused Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his allies of resorting to intimidation tactics as the redistricting fight continues.

Republicans in Texas have rejected those claims, framing the Democrats’ absence as an abdication of duty. Senator Ted Cruz commented that if California moved to eliminate all Republican districts in its state, Texas could do the same — potentially giving the GOP a net gain in congressional representation.

The fight over redistricting has become a proxy battle for control of the House ahead of the midterm elections. For Democrats, the Texas walkout is a high-profile attempt to stall Republican advances in a state that has been trending redder in recent years. For Republicans, it is a test of whether they can enforce legislative participation and move forward with their agenda despite coordinated opposition tactics.

With court battles looming over the subpoenas and political pressure mounting on both sides, the showdown shows no signs of ending soon. Whether the Democrats’ gamble will succeed or backfire will likely be determined in the months ahead as the midterms approach and the redistricting map takes shape.