The Racial Gerrymander Boomerang
To protect its House control, President Trump is demanding that Republicans redraw Congressional maps in GOP-led states to their advantage. 'Texas will be the biggest one. And that'll be five,' Mr. Trump said last week. With nips and tucks to Texas's 38 districts, Republicans can pick up five seats.
States rarely redraw maps mid-decade unless ordered by the courts. But the Trump Justice Department gave Texas Republicans an excuse when it warned in a letter this month that several House districts 'constitute unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.' More on that word 'racial' below. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott then called a special legislative session that started Monday to redraw the map.
Democrats are understandably furious. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of 'conspiring to rig the Texas congressional map as part of an effort to disenfranchise millions of people in Texas.' Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened to have his Legislature redraw California's already heavily gerrymandered map to further help Democrats.
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