Donald Trump declared that the Department of Justice will sue California over Governor Gavin Newsom’s initiative to create a new, Democratic-leaning congressional map. Just last month, Trump praised Republican legislators in Texas for their fast-track redistricting plan’s passage. This proposal would help provide the GOP an unfair head-start in at least five additional U.S. House of Representative contests during the 2026 midterm elections.
In an unexpected press event held inside the Oval Office, Trump assailed Newsom’s redistricting moves as a fulsome Democratic plot. In particular, he pushed the importance for keeping Republican majorities in Congress. This is particularly urgent, as he grapples with plummeting approval ratings and the historical curse of the incumbent president’s party losing seats in midterm elections.
“I think I’m going to be filing a lawsuit pretty soon, and I think we’re going to be very successful in it,” Trump stated, signaling his confidence in the legal challenge against California’s newly drawn congressional map.
As reported by the National Journal, last week, Newsom signed the California map into law. This action paves the way for a special election in November to complete its implementation. Trump’s remarks came just days after he applauded the passage of Texas’s redistricting plan through the state Senate early Saturday morning. See the full version This plan now goes to Republican Governor Greg Abbott for final approval.
The Texas redistricting effort, especially because its taking place mid-decade redistricting has drawn a storm of opposition from Democrats all across the country. Trump really heavy handedly Trump underscores the pressure on Texas legislators to go for this re-redistricting. He thinks it’s absolutely critical to the GOP’s future electoral success. The previous president knew very well that Texas is central to keeping the Republican Party strong. This focus brings Texas’s importance to bear in next year’s election cycle.
Trump is pushing hard on legal and political fronts. Yet, he finds himself challenged on every front, not the least of which are his plunging approval ratings from every poll. He announced new furniture tariffs or signaled them in the near term. He hinted at firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook if she refuses to quit.