A sweeping and increasingly heated redistricting battle is unfolding across the United States, fueled in large part by former President Donald Trump, who has been urging Republican-controlled legislatures to draw additional GOP-friendly congressional districts. These efforts come as the party seeks to strengthen its hold on the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the next national election cycle.

North Carolina has become the latest flashpoint. Republican lawmakers there have advanced a new congressional map as part of a mid-decade redistricting push—a move that is relatively rare in American politics. The proposed map would significantly reshape the state’s political landscape, targeting the Democratic-held district represented by Rep. Don Davis and creating a likely Republican advantage in 11 of the state’s 14 congressional seats. Currently, the GOP holds 10.

Once finalized, the North Carolina map would bring the total number of newly drawn, GOP-leaning congressional districts nationwide this year to seven, adding to similar efforts in states such as Texas and Missouri.

In a strategic countermeasure, California—led by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender—is pursuing its own redistricting initiative. A proposed ballot measure set for a statewide vote in November would allow the state legislature to temporarily sidestep California’s independent redistricting commission and carve out as many as five new Democratic-leaning congressional districts. The maneuver is widely viewed as an attempt to balance Republican gains being made elsewhere.

Back in North Carolina, the redistricting process is unfolding rapidly. State Sen. Ralph Hise, a Republican who plays a central role in drawing the new lines, has been unusually candid about the political motivations behind the effort. According to Hise, the goal is straightforward: create a map that delivers an additional GOP seat in Congress.

Hise further warned that if Democrats gain control of the U.S. House, they will “torpedo President Trump’s agenda,” underscoring how tightly the redistricting fight is now intertwined with Trump’s political priorities.

The state Senate approved the new congressional map shortly after its first public hearing, despite vocal objections from Democratic lawmakers and demonstrators who gathered in Raleigh to protest what they describe as blatant partisan gerrymandering. The proposal now moves to the state House for approval. Under North Carolina law, Democratic Governor Josh Stein cannot veto redistricting legislation, leaving Republicans with near-total control over the process.

Although North Carolina remains a politically competitive state—with Democrats like Stein and former Governor Roy Cooper winning statewide elections—Republican leaders argue that their new map reflects the electorate’s preference for Trump, who carried the state in recent presidential elections. Senate GOP leader Phil Berger asserted that the map “respects the will of North Carolina voters who sent President Trump to the White House three times,” referencing the state’s recent voting patterns.

The redistricting push in North Carolina mirrors efforts underway in other Republican-led states. Texas lawmakers kicked off their own redrawing process earlier this year, unveiling a map designed to create five additional Republican-leaning congressional districts. Missouri followed suit by approving new boundaries aimed at securing one more GOP seat in the state’s delegation.

Both the Texas and Missouri maps face active legal challenges. In Missouri, grassroots groups have already launched a petition campaign seeking to overturn the new boundaries through a public vote.

This broader national redistricting surge reflects the strategic advantage Republicans hold in the process. The GOP controls both legislative chambers and the governor’s office in 23 states—a significant contrast to the 15 states where Democrats have full control of government. These political realities give Republicans greater opportunities to reshape congressional maps in their favor.

Several additional states are considering mid-cycle redistricting. In Kansas, lawmakers have set aside $460,000 for a possible special session that could result in a new congressional map. Such a change could threaten the seat held by Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids, who has served four terms. Calling a special session would require a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers.

Indiana is also emerging as a potential redistricting battleground. Republicans there already maintain a 7–2 majority in the state’s U.S. House delegation, but national GOP leaders reportedly believe they can capture one more Democratic seat. Vice President J.D. Vance has traveled to the state twice to meet with lawmakers and discuss the effort, an indication of the strategic importance Republicans place on strengthening their House majority.

Meanwhile, Ohio and Utah continue to navigate redistricting disputes that began before Trump returned to the national political stage. Both states remain engaged in contentious legal and political fights over congressional boundaries.

Together, these developments signal that the fight over the House map—traditionally waged every 10 years—has transformed into an ongoing, high-stakes battle, reshaped by Trump’s influence and by both parties’ determination to secure as many winnable districts as possible.