The Department of Justice (DOJ) has declared its intent to sue California's Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, and Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, over the state's recently adopted congressional map.
This new map could potentially lead to the creation of up to five additional Democratic House seats in the forthcoming midterms.
As reported by Western Journal, the legal action by the DOJ supports a lawsuit filed earlier by the California Republican Party. The party contends that the Democrat-endorsed plan enforces racially gerrymandered congressional districts, thereby violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
This comes in the wake of California voters approving Proposition 50 on November 4, which effectively suspended the state's independent redistricting commission and implemented a partisan map supported by Newsom.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed her disapproval of the redistricting plan, stating, Californias redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process. She further criticized Governor Newsom's attempt to establish one-party rule and suppress the voices of millions of Californians, vowing that such an attempt "will not stand."
The ballot measure was approved by nearly 65 percent of voters, following a campaign that saw over $100 million invested to influence the vote, according to NBC News. The DOJ alleges that there is "substantial evidence" indicating that the state legislature's creation of a new map was predominantly influenced by "Latino demographics and racial considerations," which is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Jesus A. Osete, commented on the situation, stating, Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50. He added that Californians were deceived into accepting an illegal, racially gerrymandered map, which the U.S. Constitution prohibits for use in 2026 and beyond.
Currently, Republicans hold nine out of Californias 52 House seats. However, under Proposition 50, this number could potentially drop to just four seats, representing a mere 8 percent of the states delegation.
In response to the lawsuit, Newsoms press office posted on social media, These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court. The same message was given to the Daily Caller News Foundation when they requested a comment from Newsoms office.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California voiced his opinion on the matter, stating, The race-based gerrymandered maps passed by the California legislature are unlawful and unconstitutional. He emphasized that while California is free to draw congressional maps, they must not be drawn based on race.
This lawsuit is the latest development in a nationwide redistricting battle as both parties strive to secure additional congressional seats before the 2026 midterms. Republican-led legislatures in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have approved new congressional maps in special sessions, potentially creating a combined seven additional Republican-leaning seats at the behest of President Donald Trump.
Ohio, which was constitutionally required to adopt a new map, approved updated districts on Oct. 31 that could give Republicans two additional seats in 2026.
Login