The Texas Redistricting Fight Has Been the Testing Ground for the Trump Administration’s Latest Legal Strategy
ProPublica22 hrs
Trump Threatens to Sue California Over Redistricting Plans
Above: California Governor Gavin Newsom signing bills on Aug.21, 2025, in Sacremento, California. Image copyright: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Newsom's redistricting scheme is an unconstitutional power grab that violates California's own laws requiring nonpartisan map-drawing. The Democrats are trying to circumvent the independent commission that voters specifically created to prevent partisan gerrymandering. This illegal maneuver asks voters to retroactively approve what the legislature cannot legally do on its own.
Democratic narrative
California's redistricting is a necessary defensive response to Texas Republicans' blatant power grab. When Trump demanded Texas create five more GOP seats through gerrymandering, Democrats had no choice but to fight fire with fire. The Golden State is simply leveling the playing field after Republicans broke decades of precedent with mid-decade redistricting designed to rig elections.