California Governor Newsom Warns Trump Over Redistricting Retaliation Plans

California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized President Donald Trump's efforts to urge Republican-led states like Texas to redraw congressional districts to gain more seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, calling it a threat to American democracy. Newsom warned that these partisan gerrymandering efforts risk destabilizing the democratic process by undermining public trust in the fairness of elections. In a letter to Trump, Newsom urged him to call off these redistricting plans and warned that if Republicans persist, California will retaliate by redrawing its own maps to neutralize any Republican advantage. While Newsom supports independent, citizen-led redistricting, he said California cannot stand by as GOP-led states attempt to rig districts for political gain. Newsom's stance has ignited a potential nationwide standoff, with other Democratic governors like New York's Kathy Hochul and Illinois' JB Pritzker also pledging similar countermeasures. The conflict underscores the high stakes involved in controlling congressional maps ahead of a crucial election cycle.