President Donald Trump told Texas Republicans Tuesday the White House believes the GOP can flip as many as five US House seats as part of a Republican redistricting effort in the state, according to a source familiar with the call.

President Donald Trump said he thinks Republicans could flip a handful of congressional districts in Texas next year through “​​just a very simple redrawing."

U.S. citizens living in the states from census counts that the 14th Amendment says must include the "whole number of persons in each state."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday directed lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map as part of a special session that kicks off later this month, as the GOP seeks to retain its narrow US House majority after next year’s midterm elections.

Republicans are eyeing potential redistricting opportunities in Ohio and Texas as they seek extra cushion to protect their thin majority in the House next year. In Ohio, redistricting

R epublicans are looking for a lifeline. They have narrow, fragile control of the House of Representatives and could lose their majority entirely in next year's midterm elections. So the GOP is looking to Texas to provide a buffer.

AUSTIN, Texas — Houston-area Democrats are criticizing a move by the GOP-controlled Legislature to redraw the state's congressional district map following a claim by the Department of Justice that four districts are unconstitutional.

Veasey called the effort to redraw his congressional district "disgusting." While redistricting Texas’ congressional seats this summer likely pleases the White House as a means to maintain GOP control of the House of Representatives ,