California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged Donald Trump to abandon efforts to redraw Texas congressional maps, warning that the president is 'playing with fire' and that California will retaliate if the plan proceeds. The letter comes after Texas Democratic lawmakers fled the state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass the redistricting plan, which aims to flip five Democratic-held seats.
In his letter, Newsom said the attempt to 'rig congressional maps' before the 2026 election is an 'affront to American democracy.' He threatened that California would consider new boundaries to 'neutralize' any gains Republicans hope to achieve in Texas, but added he would 'happily' stand down if other states abandoned their efforts.
Newsom's office also issued a snarky all-caps tweet mimicking Trump's style, warning that if Trump does not stand down, California will lead an effort to redraw its maps to offset the rigging. The White House has not responded, but Trump has defended the plan, claiming he is 'entitled to five more seats' due to winning Texas in 2024.
Meanwhile, the White House is enlisting other red states, with Vice President JD Vance lobbying Indiana Republicans. New York and Illinois governors have also vowed action. In Texas, House Speaker Dustin Burrows adjourned the session after a fourth failed attempt, while state agents search for absent Democrats, who face arrest warrants but are beyond state authority.
