Democrats in New York, California and Illinois are threatening to redraw their own maps in retaliation to Republican redistricting efforts in Texas.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called the Texas Democrats "heroes" at a joint press conference this morning in the Chicago area. Why it matters: President Trump's push to redraw Texas' congressional map is designed to net the GOP up to five House seats — potentially enough to decide the majority for Trump's final two years in office.

Texas Democrats have fled the state to block a vote on a new redistricting map. Gov. Abbott has ordered their arrest, stalling critical legislation and raising legal questions.

The chair of the Democratic Caucus in Texas' House of Representatives called Governor Abbott's move "purely insanity."

In a significant escalation of his spat with Texas Democrats who left the state to stop a controversial redistricting vote, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, from office.