Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The Justice Department is suing California over its recently voter-approved congressional maps, alleging they are an unconstitutional "power grab."
Earlier this month, Californians approved Gov. Gavin Newsom's redistricting initiative, introduced in direct response to Texas' effort to create new congressional maps that favor Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
While Texas Republican lawmakers pursued an unprecedented mid-cycle redraw without voter approval, President Donald Trump and his allies have been critical of the California move. Democrats counter that they are trying to protect the state's representation in Congress, accusing Trump -- who pressured Texas to pursue the new maps -- of undermining democratic norms.
Federal prosecutors on Thursday filed the lawsuit against Newsom over California's redistricting plan, alleging that it racially gerrymandered congressional districts in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
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