The Department of Justice is suing over California’s redistricting plan, which state voters overwhelmingly approved last week in an effort to redraw their congressional map in Democrats’ favor.
The DOJ is joining an existing case brought by California Republicans against Proposition 50, which seeks to give Democrats five additional seats in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom had touted the measure as necessary to counter Texas’ gerrymandering over the summer at President Donald Trump’s request.
Calling the California measure a “power grab,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X on Thursday: “Newsom should be concerned about keeping Californians safe and shutting down Antifa violence, not rigging his state for political gain.”
Trump had previously warned of legal action against California over Prop 50. After the measure passed, he called it a “GIANT SCAM” and claimed the vote was unconstitutional.
In August, however, the president celebrated the passage of Texas’ redistricting plan, writing on Truth Social at the time that more seats for Republicans in the House “equals less Crime, a great Economy, and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT.” In next year’s midterms, Democrats will be seeking to retake control of the House in the hopes of more effectively opposing the Trump administration, while Republicans will be vying to hold on to their narrow majority.
Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.
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