This welcome decision is a necessary and appropriate response to former President Donald Trump’s illegal interference with redistricting efforts. Tensions are flaring over electoral districting in several states. This announcement comes on the heels of Trump’s defense of Texas’ aggressive redistricting plan.
In a four-page letter sent directly to Trump, Newsom detailed his frustrations with the state of politics around congressional maps. He is a proponent of independent commissions drawing electoral districts. He believes this method is far superior to allowing statewide partisan legislative bodies to return the final verdicts. Newsom emphasized the necessity for fairness in the redistricting process, asserting, “California cannot stand idly by as this power grab unfolds.”
At an event in Houston alongside Texas lawmakers and California’s legislative leaders, Newsom rolled out his plan. He vocally supported a new ballot initiative to create an independent commission and redraw Ohio’s current congressional maps. The new proposal would unambiguously add five more Democratic seats, all in California. Despite this troublesome rollout, Newsom remains bullish on the initiative. He’s confident that voters will support the plan when it comes to a vote this November.
Newsom’s statement was further bolstered by a social media message from his office, which warned Trump directly: “DONALD TRUMP, IF YOU DO NOT STAND DOWN, WE WILL BE FORCED TO LEAD AN EFFORT TO REDRAW THE MAPS IN CA TO OFFSET THE RIGGING OF MAPS IN RED STATES. IF THE OTHER STATES CALL OFF THEIR REDISTRICTING EFFORTS, WE WILL DO THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”
The unbound governor was quick to add a condescending flourish to his missive to Trump. He decided to call the former president “Taco,” with the implication that that was short for “Trump always chickens out.” This mockery was reflected in Newsom’s social media posts, where he stated, “DONALD ‘TACO’ TRUMP, AS MANY CALL HIM, ‘MISSED’ THE DEADLINE!!!”
Beyond just reining in Trump’s actions, Newsom made a point to emphasize the national trend of harmful implications that redistricting has, particularly in red states. More recently, a number of states have found themselves in battles over electoral maps, to the point of inspiring mic drops by state political leaders. Trump’s defense of the Texas plan centers on his assertion that he is “entitled to five more seats” due to winning the state’s popular vote in the 2024 presidential election.
Newsom’s pledge to draw new California electoral maps is a sign of leadership in a state quickly becoming ground zero for a contentious political battle over redistricting. He made that point again, along with his long-standing offer to drop these battles if other states do stop their own redistricting in its tracks.
California is preparing for a historic statewide electoral landslide. Its impact on state and national politics remains to be seen. The focus now shifts to whether California voters will endorse the proposed changes and how they will respond to ongoing redistricting battles across the United States.