Former Attorney General Eric Holder told “Meet the Press” why it is a threat to democracy when Republicans gerrymander, but saving Democracy when Democrats respond with gerrymandering. Holder leads the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which is raising money to “combat ongoing gerrymandering.” NBC’s Kristen Welker asks: “How can gerrymandering both be a threat to democracy and also the way to save it?” “Authoritarian moves are being made by the White House through various states, Texas most prominent among them, and there has to be a response to that,” Holder said. “I wouldn’t say that we’re using the same tactics,” Holder said. “What Democrats are doing is – is responsive, and it’s temporary.”

KRISTEN WELKER: I want to start off by asking you this morning, the homepage of the group you lead, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, says quote, “There is no ‘offseason’ in redistricting. Gerrymandering poses a critical threat to our democracy.” But now you’re arguing that Democrats are going to have to use gerrymandering, quote, “In order to save our democracy.” So let me ask you, how can gerrymandering both be a threat to democracy and also the way to save it? ERIC HOLDER: Well, there’s no question that gerrymandering is a threat to our democracy. It allows politicians to pick their voters as opposed to citizens choosing their representatives. But we are now in a situation where we find ourselves where authoritarian moves are being made by the White House through various states, Texas most prominent among them, and there has to be a response to that. What I’ve said is that we have to protect our democracy now if we ultimately want to be able to – to save it. And so taking the reasonable steps that have been proposed in – in California, I think it makes a great deal of sense in this moment. A temporary way in which to respond to that which is happening in Texas with the thought that after this crisis has passed, we get back to the fight against gerrymandering by anybody. KRISTEN WELKER: Well, as you know, some of your Democratic colleagues are expressing concerns about that, including Senator Richard Blumenthal. Let me tell you what he told the Associated Press. He said, quote, “We shouldn’t stoop to their tactics. It’s an ideal that we have accurate and fair representation. We can’t abandon it just because Republicans try to manipulate and distort it.” Do Democrats run the risk of undermining the public’s trust in our electoral systems by using the same tactics that you’re criticizing Republicans for using? ERIC HOLDER: Well, yeah, I wouldn’t say that we’re using the same tactics. I mean, you know, in – when Barack Obama was president, when Joe Biden was president, did either of those presidents call a governor of a state or a state legislature and tell them to – to gerrymander to find five seats for them? No. So we’re doing something now that is responsive to what is going on with this White House. You know, what – that call to Texas is kind of reminiscent of the call that President Trump made to the secretary of state in Georgia. He said, “Find me 11,780 votes.” He calls Texas now and says, “Well, find me five seats so that we can save the House in 2026 in spite of the fact that my poll ratings are down, in spite of the fact that this big, beautiful budget bill is wildly unpopular, in spite of the fact that we’ve taken health care away from people, given tax breaks to billionaires.” So I think we’re talking about two fundamentally different things. If Texas had not moved in the way that they appear to be doing, California would not be doing what they’re doing. What Democrats are doing is – is responsive, and it’s temporary.

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