Overview
- The Justice Department filed a complaint and moved to intervene in the California GOP’s Tangipa v. Newsom case, targeting the voter‑approved Proposition 50 congressional map in the Central District of California.
- Federal lawyers argue race predominated in drawing districts to bolster Hispanic voting power in violation of the Equal Protection Clause, rather than permissible partisanship.
- The government asks the court to enjoin use of the Prop 50 map in the 2026 midterms and in future elections.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s camp defends the measure, which passed with roughly 64–65% support and is designed to make up to five Republican‑held seats more favorable to Democrats.
- The dispute carries national stakes for a narrowly divided House (Republicans 219, Democrats 214) and follows Texas’ Trump‑backed mid‑decade redraw; Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is recused because her former firm represents the GOP plaintiffs.