Trump Administration Sues California Over Its Redistricting Plan

Trump challenges California redistricting plan

DOJ alleges racial bias

Proposition 50 sparks political clash

The administration of President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Thursday against the state of California following the approval of a new redistricting plan that, according to the White House, would grant five additional congressional seats to the Democratic Party and violate the Constitution due to an alleged racial bias in favor of the Latino population.

The legal action comes after the approval of Proposition 50 on November 4, when 64.4% of California voters supported a temporary modification of electoral district maps — a decision that deepened tensions between the White House and Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.

The federal government argues that California’s new electoral design was structured with racial criteria and aims to benefit Democrats just ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Redistricting Battle in California Sparks Trump Administration Lawsuit

#Breaking | Department of Justice files lawsuit to block California’s electoral redistricting.

Read more https://t.co/VdVBj51f5j pic.twitter.com/ocyRe7rOZa

— Univision Noticias (@UniNoticias) November 13, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argued in its lawsuit that there is “substantial evidence” that the California Legislature created a map dominated by Latino population considerations that, in the government’s view, violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a DOJ press release that the California plan represents “a blatant attempt to grab power that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process,” adding that the proposal fails to comply with federally established electoral norms.

You may also like: California Approves Proposition 50: What the New Redistricting Plan Means

Bondi also criticized Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of pushing a scheme intended to consolidate “one-party dominance and silence millions of Californians,” referring to the impact the new districts would have on traditionally Republican areas.

Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for California, said the federal government acted quickly to prevent the new maps — which he labeled illegal — from being used in the next legislative elections.

How Did It Come to This?

The U.S. government announces it has sued California over its redistricting plan, arguing it could benefit Democrats .https://t.co/m5mLB2vcfh

— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) November 13, 2025

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, is part of a broader political clash between the Trump administration and the state government led by Newsom, a sharp critic of federal electoral policies.

The confrontation escalated after Newsom — joined by high-profile Democrats including former President Barack Obama — openly promoted voting in favor of Proposition 50 as a countermeasure to Republican-backed redistricting efforts in Texas.

In Texas, Republican legislators are pushing for a map that would guarantee at least five additional seats for their party, helping maintain their majority in the House of Representatives in 2026.

After the federal government refused to halt California’s redistricting — normally conducted every ten years based on the census — state authorities proceeded with implementing the new plan, which would affect Republican areas such as the Central Valley, a key agricultural region.

Why It Matters

The White House had warned from the beginning that it would challenge the plan approved by California voters, in contrast to Texas, where redistricting changes were approved by a Republican-controlled legislature.

According to EFE, redistricting battles extend far beyond California and Texas.

More than ten Republican-led states have approved or are pushing for similar modifications ahead of the midterms, while Democratic-led states are starting to follow California’s example to counter the Republican strategy.