The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against California over new congressional maps that were approved by voters in a recent election. The maps, which favor Democrats, are seen as an attempt to counteract Republican gains in Texas following their redrawing of voting districts. California’s new boundaries have raised allegations of racial gerrymandering, prompting accusations from Attorney General Pam Bondi of a “brazen” power grab orchestrated by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Proposition 50, the redistricting bill that California voters overwhelmingly approved, aims to provide Democrats with an advantage in five new congressional districts. Bondi argued that the new maps were designed to entrench one-party rule, calling the redistricting an effort to “silence millions of Californians.” In a statement, Newsom’s spokesperson dismissed the accusations, claiming, “These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.”
The lawsuit was filed in a California federal court on Thursday, with federal prosecutors accusing Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber of creating “racially gerrymandered congressional districts,” which violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. Although gerrymandering, the practice of redrawing districts to benefit one political party, is legal in the US, it becomes unconstitutional when race is used as a determining factor.
The Justice Department cited what it described as “substantial evidence” indicating that the new maps were predominantly influenced by Latino demographics and racial considerations. “Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50,” said Jesus A Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
The controversy over California’s redistricting is part of a broader nationwide effort sparked by President Donald Trump’s influence, aimed at shifting the balance of power in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. This effort seeks to ensure Republican control of the US House of Representatives.
In response to Texas Republicans’ push to redraw maps favoring their party, Newsom launched a campaign in August to suspend California’s independently drawn maps, arguing it was necessary to “fight fire with fire.” His campaign came after Texas Democrats fled the state to delay a vote on the new district boundaries that would have expanded Republican influence in the House.
