The Justice Department is suing California over the redistricting measure voters overwhelmingly approved last week that could grant Democrats up to five new seats in Congress.
The big picture: The suit ignites a major showdown between the Trump administration and the liberal state, triggered by the president's push to redraw maps in Texas in Republicans' favor.
- The challenge to the California measure, known as Proposition 50, was first filed by the statewide Republican party last week.
- The administration is accusing California of racial gerrymandering to benefit Hispanics, who at roughly 40% of the population, make up a plurality of the state's voters, according to the suit.
What they're saying: "California's redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in an emailed statement, naming California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- "Governor Newsom's attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand."
The other side: Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, struck a teasing tone in an emailed statement to Axios on Thursday.
- "These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court," he said.
What's inside: "In the press, California's legislators and governor sold a plan to promote the interests of Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections," the Justice Department wrote in the complaint.
- "But amongst themselves and on the debate floor, the focus was not partisanship, but race. ... Our Constitution does not tolerate this racial gerrymander."
- "Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50—the recent ballot initiative that junked California's pre-existing electoral map in favor of a rush-job rejiggering of California's congressional district lines."
Catch up quick: Newsom has said that the effort is only happening to "completely neuter and neutralize" a Trump-backed push to give Republicans five additional seats in Texas.
- Republicans in the Lone-Star state were explicitly instructed to pass a map that would likely send 30 Republicans and eight Democrats to Congress, which would have significantly bolstered the GOP's majority in the House.
What we're watching: The president's efforts have kicked off a redistricting push across the country, even though maps are usually redrawn at the turn of the decade.
- Republicans believe they can pick up seats in Florida, Indiana, Louisiana and Missouri, while Democrats have their eyes on Illinois, Maryland, New York and Virginia.
Go deeper: Where redistricting efforts stand after California passes Prop 50
