California governor demands Trump abandon Texas redistricting push, threatens ballot measure response
The Democratic governor warned the partisan battle risks spiraling into a national redistricting "arms race" and urged Trump to "stand down."
After days of aggressive back and forth between the two leaders, Newsom tweeted from the official page of the Governor Newsom Press Office, mocking Trump in what was ostensibly meant to mimic the president's idiosyncratic style of using all-caps and superlatives for many of his posts.
"DONALD 'TACO' TRUMP, AS MANY CALL HIM, 'MISSED' THE DEADLINE!!! CALIFORNIA WILL NOW DRAW NEW, MORE 'BEAUTIFUL MAPS,' THEY WILL BE HISTORIC AS THEY WILL END THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY (DEMS TAKE BACK THE HOUSE!). BIG PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK WITH POWERFUL DEMS AND GAVIN NEWSOM — YOUR FAVORITE GOVERNOR — THAT WILL BE DEVASTATING FOR 'MAGA.' THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GN," the tweet read.
Newsom's hyperbolic, Trump-mimicking tone suggested that California will be retaliating in the ongoing redistricting battle unless red states like Texas abort their partisan map plans.
The governor seemed to double down on comments on X from Monday in which he posted a video along with the caption:
"Donald Trump: It's time to call Greg Abbott and tell him to stand down. You are not 'entitled' to 5 congressional seats. If you do not call your lapdogs off, CA will act quickly and swiftly. We will go to the ballot. We will neutralize whatever gains you make. We will not stand by while you light Democracy on fire."
The post coincided with a letter to Trump from Monday accusing the president of "playing with fire."
The governor said he is prepared to do whatever it takes to combat any gains that the republicans may achieve through efforts in Texas.
"You are playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy, while knowing that California can neutralize any gains you hope to make," Newsom told Trump in the letter.
"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 said.
Newsom said he was in favor of leaving the decision to independent commissions, and that he would "happily" stand down if other states followed suit in the redistricting effort.
In another snarky, all-caps tweet meant to mimic Trump's social media style, Newsom's office summarized the letter: "DONALD TRUMP, IF YOU DO NOT STAND DOWN, WE WILL BE FORCED TO LEAD AN EFFORT TO REDRAW THE MAPS IN CA TO OFFSET THE RIGGING OF MAPS IN RED STATES. BUT IF THE OTHER STATES CALL OFF THEIR REDISTRICTING EFFORTS, WE WILL DO THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!"
Newsom's threat could mark a dramatic reversal of California's voter-approved independent redistricting process and potentially require legislative action or even a statewide ballot measure.
While this is only intended as a political counterpunch, the move has sparked debate among Democrats' and Republicans' about whether the party risks sacrificing its moral high ground on fair maps.
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