Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, announced on Thursday that state Democratic lawmakers would push forward with a redistricting plan designed to counter Republican-led efforts in Texas aimed at reshaping congressional maps to secure a House majority after the midterm elections.
Speaking at the Japanese American National Museum’s National Center for the Preservation of Democracy—a venue chosen for its powerful symbolism—Newsom’s event was overshadowed by federal agents, armed and masked, moving across the complex. Led by Gregory Bovino, head of the Border Patrol’s El Centro sector, footage showed a man being taken away in handcuffs.
Newsom, joined by congressional Democrats and legislative leaders, unveiled the Election Rigging Response Act, a plan that would override California’s independent redistricting commission to draw new congressional lines. This move directly challenges a Texas effort, backed by Donald Trump, to push through mid-cycle maps that could add five extra House seats for Republicans. The governor pledged the initiative would “neuter and neutralize” Texas’s plan.
“Today is liberation day in California,” Newsom declared at a rally in Los Angeles, officially calling for a November 4 special election to approve the new congressional map. “We can’t stand by and watch democracy vanish district by district across the country.”
After the rally, Newsom criticized the Border Patrol operation as “sick and pathetic,” accusing Trump of using federal agents to intimidate Democrats. “Wake up, America,” he warned. “You will not have a country if he rigs this election.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat who did not attend the event, condemned the raid, calling it no coincidence that it happened near Newsom’s rally. In a statement to reporters and on social media, she said: “The White House sent federal agents to try to intimidate elected officials. Los Angeles doesn’t get scared and we don’t back down.”
The Department of Homeland Security pushed back, claiming Bass was “misinformed.” Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, said: “Our operations enforce the law, not target Gavin Newsom. CBP patrols all areas of LA daily with 40 teams on the ground to keep the city safe.”
The California map would only be implemented if Texas—or another Republican-led state—advanced a partisan redistricting plan. Newsom emphasized he preferred independent commissions like California’s and had told Trump he would “happily stand down” if Texas abandoned its effort.
Earlier, Texas Democrats, who had staged a two-week walkout to block the redistricting vote, said they were ready to return once California released its new map. Newsom insisted that California, with a population larger than the 21 smallest states combined, would not “unilaterally disarm.”
“It’s simple,” he said. “We’re acting in response to a president who called the Texas governor and said, ‘Find me five seats.’”
Trump recently claimed Republicans were “entitled to five more seats” in Texas due to his 2024 election victory.
The new California map would remain in effect through the 2030 elections, after which mapmaking authority would revert to the independent redistricting commission. Newsom said the Democratic-led legislature would introduce legislation on Monday, confident it would pass and gain voter approval in November.
California has 52 House seats, 43 held by Democrats, with several competitive races that were key to Republicans gaining a majority in 2024. Public opinion is uncertain: polls show strong support for the independent redistricting commission, meaning Democrats will need to act fast to secure voter backing.
Sara Sadhwani, a former member of the 2020 California redistricting commission, urged a nationwide ban on partisan gerrymandering but joined Newsom and lawmakers, labor leaders, and advocates to support redrawing the maps. “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” she said.
Common Cause, a good government group opposing partisan map-making, stated it would “not pre-emptively oppose” California’s plan. “To condemn this now would be sitting on the sidelines in the face of authoritarianism,” they said.
Eric Holder, former U.S. Attorney General and chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, endorsed “responsible and responsive” countermeasures against Trump’s “extreme mid-decade gerrymanders.” He warned: “Our democracy is under attack. We have no choice but to defend it.”
Republicans slammed the California proposal. Christian Martinez, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, called it a “stunt to consolidate radical Democrat power” and accused Newsom of undermining voter will to serve a “pathetic 2028 presidential pipe dream.”
At the Los Angeles rally, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks sent a warning to the nine Republicans who supported legislation rolling back reproductive rights: “You take away our freedoms, we’ll take away your seats.”
Texas’s push for new maps has sparked a redistricting arms race nationwide, with leaders in Florida, Missouri, New York, and Illinois considering similar actions. “Other blue states need to stand up,” Newsom urged.
The campaign, backed by a newly launched website, is expected to be costly, drawing national attention and donors for a high-stakes, off-year political battle. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who supported independent redistricting, voiced opposition. Newsom said he had discussed gerrymandering with Schwarzenegger but stressed this fight is about preserving American democracy.
“It’s not enough to hold hands and have a candlelight vigil. We have got to meet fire with fire,” Newsom declared.
Description:
“California Governor Gavin Newsom unveils a daring plan to redraw congressional maps, countering Trump-backed Texas redistricting. Discover how Democrats are fighting back to protect democracy and reshape the political map!”