JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – It is said that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Over the past week, that metaphorical smoke has been in greater abundance at the state capital, where Missouri Republicans grow ever eager to redraw the congressional map to their party’s advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Two weeks ago, the Trump White House reportedly pressured Missouri Republicans to redraw the borders of its eight districts to give the party a 7-1 seat advantage, up from the current 6-2 delegation. According to reports, the effort would likely focus on splitting the Missouri’s 5th Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, to spread thin supporters in the Democratic stronghold.

The Missouri Freedom Caucus issued a statement on July 25 urging Governor Mike Kehoe to call a special session with the intent to redraw Missouri’s Congressional map in a way that is consistent with Trump’s recommendations.

This past week, the governor rallied behind the president’s idea.

“Is Missouri represented properly in Washington, D.C., and, quite frankly, what can we do to support President Trump’s agenda? And Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, who’s done a very good job,” Kehoe told FOX 2 News during a trip to St. Louis County.

Redistricting is conducted every 10 years in the aftermath of the U.S. Census. The state finalized its latest congressional redistricting map in 2022.

According to the III Section 10 of the Missouri Constitution, “The last decennial census of the United States shall be used in apportioning representatives and determining the population of senatorial and representative districts. Such districts may be altered from time to time as public convenience may require.”

The language does not explicitly rule out mid-decade redistricting changes, though suggests such changes could be rare in Missouri, possibly opening the door to legal or political challenges.

Over the weekend, the Missouri Independent quoted Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin from interview with a Columbia radio station, saying it was "likely" that Gov. Kehoe would call a special session. Democrats who spoke with the Missouri Independent indicated the move a foregone conclusion.

The growing push to reshape Missouri's political landscape is part of the growing furor over redistricting efforts in the country's two most populous states—Texas and California—and elsewhere.

During Sunday's episode of Hancock & Kelley on FOX 2, Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley opined that the push to redraw districts across Missouri and the country goes against the spirit of its intended purpose, and warned Republicans that the move could backfire in the long run.