Trump Threatens to Sue California Over Redistricting Plans

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Above: California Governor Gavin Newsom signing bills on Aug.21, 2025, in Sacremento, California. Image copyright: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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The Spin

Republican narrative

Newsom's redistricting scheme is an unconstitutional power grab that violates California's own laws requiring nonpartisan map-drawing. The Democrats are trying to circumvent the independent commission that voters specifically created to prevent partisan gerrymandering. This illegal maneuver asks voters to retroactively approve what the legislature cannot legally do on its own.

Forbes National Review

Democratic narrative

California's redistricting is a necessary defensive response to Texas Republicans' blatant power grab. When Trump demanded Texas create five more GOP seats through gerrymandering, Democrats had no choice but to fight fire with fire. The Golden State is simply leveling the playing field after Republicans broke decades of precedent with mid-decade redistricting designed to rig elections.

The New Republic Los Angeles times

Cynical narrative

Both Democrats and Republicans gerrymander massively — erasing genuine electoral competition and diminishing the voice of the American people. This has only fueled political extremes, leaving bipartisan compromise nearly unattainable. American democracy is anything but fair, and election laws must be reformed.

Center for American Progress