Justice Department sues California as Trump-backed redistricting war expands
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks after polls close on Proposition 50 on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Photo: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images.
The Justice Department is suing California over the redistricting measure voters overwhelmingly approved last week that could grant Democrats up to five new seats in Congress.
The big picture: The suit ignites a major showdown between the Trump administration and the liberal state, triggered by the president's push to redraw maps in Texas in Republicans' favor.
- The challenge to the California measure, known as Proposition 50, was first filed by the statewide Republican party last week.
- The administration is accusing California of racial gerrymandering to benefit Hispanics, who at roughly 40% of the population, make up a plurality of the state's voters, according to the suit.
What they're saying: "California's redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in an emailed statement, naming California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- "Governor Newsom's attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand."
The other side: Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, struck a teasing tone in an emailed statement to Axios on Thursday.
- "These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court," he said.
What's inside: "In the press, California's legislators and governor sold a plan to promote the interests of Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections," the Justice Department wrote in the complaint.
- "But amongst themselves and on the debate floor, the focus was not partisanship, but race. ... Our Constitution does not tolerate this racial gerrymander."
- "Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50—the recent ballot initiative that junked California's pre-existing electoral map in favor of a rush-job rejiggering of California's congressional district lines."
Catch up quick: Newsom has said that the effort is only happening to "completely neuter and neutralize" a Trump-backed push to give Republicans five additional seats in Texas.
- Republicans in the Lone-Star state were explicitly instructed to pass a map that would likely send 30 Republicans and eight Democrats to Congress, which would have significantly bolstered the GOP's majority in the House.
What we're watching: The president's efforts have kicked off a redistricting push across the country, even though maps are usually redrawn at the turn of the decade.
- Republicans believe they can pick up seats in Florida, Indiana, Louisiana and Missouri, while Democrats have their eyes on Illinois, Maryland, New York and Virginia.
Go deeper: Where redistricting efforts stand after California passes Prop 50
