US Justice Department sues California to block new House map favouring Democrats
The petition has been filed by US President Donald Trump’s administration in the California federal court against the new congressional map pushed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
November 14, 2025 10:34 AM IST
First published on: Nov 14, 2025 at 10:34 AM IST
Share
Comments
Print
Share
Whatsapp
twitter
Facebook
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a rally with Harris County Democrats at the IBEW local 716 union hall in Houston. (AP Photo)
The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the state of California in order to block new congressional district boundaries maps, which was approved by the state’s voters last week, joining a court battle which could determine which party would control the US House of Representatives in 2026, AP reported.
The petition has been filed by US President Donald Trump’s administration in the California federal court against the new congressional map pushed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in response to a similar effort led by a Republican governor in Texas backed by President Trump. The case sets a court battle stage between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor who’s being projected as a likely 2028 presidential contender.
Advertisement
In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “California’s redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process. Governor Newsom’s attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.”
Newsom should be concerned about keeping Californians safe and shutting down Antifa violence, not rigging his state for political gain.https://t.co/Vi2WAS7VX4
The redistricting bill of California, known as Proposition 50, was overwhelmingly passed by the state’s voters last week, giving the ruling Democrats an advantage in five new congressional districts. Governor Newsom’s spokesperson Brandon Richards, in a statement said, “These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.”
After Trump made the call to redistrict three Republican-led states — Texas, along with Missouri and North Carolina, no federal legal action was carried out. The US president has called for an increase in the GOP numbers in the House of Representatives. The case against redistricting maps was brought in by the California Republican Party last week and it has been joined by the Justice Department.
The justice department’s prosecutors have accused the Democratic governor and Secretary of State Shirley Weber of mandating “racially gerrymandered congressional districts”, which according to the federal prosecutors is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
Share
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a rally with Harris County Democrats at the IBEW local 716 union hall in Houston. (AP Photo) 
