The Department of Justice took action Thursday in a lawsuit targeting Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approach to reshaping California’s congressional map ahead of the upcoming election.
In a newly filed complaint, DOJ Civil Rights Division attorneys argued that California improperly used race as a “proxy” to construct districts that would benefit Democrats — a strategy they say was intended to counter a Texas redistricting effort that favored Republicans.
“In the press, California’s legislators and governor sold a plan to promote the interests of Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections,” DOJ lawyers wrote. “But amongst themselves and on the debate floor, the focus was not partisanship, but race.”
The lawyers said the Constitution “does not tolerate this racial gerrymander,” pointing to statements from lawmakers emphasizing the creation of a new Latino-majority district to offset what they described as Texas’ attempt to suppress Latino voter influence.
The federal government has the authority to enforce the Voting Rights Act, which is designed to protect voters from racial disenfranchisement. However, the law remains at the center of national debate and is currently under review by the Supreme Court in a separate redistricting case involving Louisiana.
California voters recently approved Proposition 50 on Election Day, giving the state legislature the power to draw new congressional boundaries — potentially flipping up to five Republican-held seats. After the vote, Newsom called the measure California’s response to Trump “trying to rig the midterm elections before one single vote is even cast.”
California Assembly member David Tangipa, a Republican, responded by filing suit — and on Thursday, the DOJ formally joined the case.
A spokesperson for Newsom told Fox News Digital: “These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.”
Redistricting legal battles are intensifying nationwide as the 2026 midterms approach. Along with Texas and California, Louisiana is awaiting a Supreme Court decision that could reshape its map before the next election. Meanwhile, a recent ruling in Utah approved a new district map expected to give Democrats an advantage in one of the state’s four House seats.
