Newsom calls on Trump to end redistricting push: ‘Playing with fire’
California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged former President Donald Trump to halt his efforts to push redistricting initiatives, warning that continuing the effort would be “playing wiht fire.” In a letter to the White House, Newsom argued that redrawing congressional maps mid-decade, a practice being pursued by Trump and supporters in certain states like Texas to gain extra House seats, undermines American democracy and was not the intention of the nation’s founders. Newsom threatened to lead a counter-effort to redraw California’s electoral maps to offset manipulations in Republican-led states. Although redistricting in California is managed by an self-reliant commission-making it more complex to change-Newsom emphasized that his state cannot remain passive as what he calls a power grab unfolds.This exchange is part of a broader escalating dispute over redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.
Newsom calls on Trump to end redistricting push: ‘Playing with fire’
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is taking it to President Donald Trump over redistricting, saying Trump should call it off or else.
In a letter to the White House, Newsom suggested that the outcome would be the same whether new maps were drawn or not and urged the president not to move forward so everyone could avoid the headache.
“If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states,” Newsom writes, adding, “You are playing with fire.”
Trump and Newsom are leaders in a tit-for-tat battle over redistricting in the House of Representatives, which typically happens following the census but is being bandied about mid-decade amid a wider battle for control of Congress.
Trump has urged Texas to redraw its maps to pick up five more GOP seats, which could be enough for the party to keep the House following the midterm elections.
Newsom has countered with a plan to redraw his own state’s maps to pick up five Democratic seats, negating the gain from Texas. At least eight other states are now wrapped up in the fracas, which has been escalating throughout the summer.
But Newsom is now explicitly calling on the president to give up his mapmaking plans.
“This attempt to rig congressional maps to hold onto power before a single vote is cast in the 2026 election is an affront to American democracy,” Newsom’s letter reads. “This is not what the Founders envisioned, and California cannot stand idly by as this power grab unfolds.”
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Compared to Texas, it will be more difficult for California to redraw its maps because it uses an independent redistricting commission. The California legislature is expected to release proposed redistricting maps this week.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the White House seeking comment.
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