Newsom Warns Trump Over Texas Redistricting: California May Strike Back

Tensions are mounting between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump over a growing political battle centered on congressional redistricting in Texas. In a strongly worded letter issued Monday, Newsom warned Trump that if Republican-led efforts to redraw district maps in Texas continue, California may retaliate by altering its own maps to favor Democrats.

“If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states,” Newsom stated, escalating a conflict that could influence the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections.

At the heart of the dispute is a Republican proposal in Texas to pass mid-decade redistricting maps that could eliminate up to five Democratic-held congressional seats. While Republicans argue that Democrats in states like California have long benefited from gerrymandering, opponents of the Texas plan see it as a direct power grab aimed at shoring up GOP control of the House.

In response to the proposal, over 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state, seeking to break quorum and halt the legislative process. The lawmakers traveled to cities like Chicago, leaving behind a legislative void and delaying not only the redistricting vote but also critical legislation, including funding for storm recovery.

Republicans in Texas have criticized the move as irresponsible, accusing Democrats of abandoning their duties and jeopardizing aid to storm-affected communities. GOP leaders across the country have also seized on the event, framing the walkout as political cowardice.

Meanwhile, Newsom’s threat to redraw California’s maps is not entirely unexpected. He has been vocal for weeks about the potential for retaliatory action if red states like Texas proceed with aggressive redistricting.

“You’re playing with fire,” Newsom wrote to Trump. “You are risking the destabilization of our democracy.”

Though California’s current congressional maps were created by an independent redistricting commission—a process long touted by Democrats as a model for fair representation—Newsom indicated that he would consider leading a campaign to override the existing system. Such a move would likely require voter approval and a formal challenge to the state’s existing redistricting protocols.

Democrats are currently just three seats away from reclaiming a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. With only a few dozen competitive districts nationwide, the redrawing of just a handful of seats could significantly sway the balance of power in Washington.

Trump, who remains influential in the Republican Party, has backed the redistricting effort in Texas as part of a broader strategy to secure a stronger GOP majority in the House ahead of the 2026 midterms. His allies have defended the move, pointing out that Democrats have previously benefited from similar strategies in other states.

During his presidency, Trump faced numerous Democratic-led investigations, including two impeachment proceedings. Although he was acquitted in both cases, his supporters argue that partisan attacks against him have justified stronger electoral safeguards for Republican strongholds.

Despite claiming to support independent commissions, Newsom insisted California cannot “stand idly by” as what he described as an undemocratic redistricting campaign takes place elsewhere.

“If Texas and the other red states abandon their gerrymandering plans, we will gladly do the same,” Newsom added. “That would be a win for democracy.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded swiftly, warning Newsom that California may be outmatched in any redistricting standoff.

“If California tries to gerrymander five more districts, Texas can go further. We can cut out ten Democrats,” Abbott said in an interview with CNN. “We have more room to maneuver, and fewer Republican districts for them to touch in their states.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court seeking a declaration that 13 Texas House seats are now vacant. According to Paxton, Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to prevent a quorum have abandoned their responsibilities and forfeited their positions.

“These rogue Democrats walked out on their duties and violated the oath they swore to uphold,” Paxton said in a press release. “They left their constituents without representation, and their actions cannot be ignored.”

Paxton has urged the court to officially declare the seats empty, which could trigger special elections and further shift the balance of power in the Texas legislature.

With both sides digging in, the battle over redistricting is quickly becoming a broader clash over the future of representative democracy in the United States. As states prepare for the 2026 elections, what began as a legislative standoff in Texas may evolve into a nationwide redistricting war—with far-reaching consequences for both parties.