California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned President Donald Trump on Monday that he will lead an effort to redraw his state’s congressional maps if Trump does not urge Texas and other Republican-led states to abandon plans for new district lines.
“You are playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy, while knowing that California can neutralize any gains you hope to make,” Newsom wrote in a letter to Trump.
Newsom accused GOP-controlled legislatures of trying to “rig the upcoming midterm elections” to favor Republican candidates. Texas lawmakers are pushing to create maps that would give their party five additional House seats. Democrats currently need to flip three seats to reclaim control of the House in the 2026 midterms.
Trump, speaking to CNBC last week, argued Republicans are “entitled to five more seats” and accused California and Illinois of gerrymandering their own districts to protect Democratic power.
In his letter, Newsom called the Texas plan “an affront to American democracy” and vowed to act if Republicans proceed: “If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states.” He offered to hold off if other states dropped their redistricting efforts.
The Texas fight escalated after Democratic lawmakers fled the state to block a quorum needed for Republicans to advance the maps. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded Sunday with a renewed warning that the lawmakers would be arrested if they return: “If they want to evade that arrest, they’re going to stay outside of the state of Texas for literally years.”
The push to reshape congressional boundaries before the 2026 elections has also surfaced in states such as Indiana. The White House has not yet commented on Newsom’s letter.
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