Newsom says California won’t sit silently as democracy faces a nationwide threat thanks to the Trump admin
Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a large-scale effort across the state to stop what he calls President Donald Trump’s attempt to rig the forthcoming midterms elections after Texas lawmakers announced redistricting efforts. Newsom spoke with state leaders and advocates and highlighted that California would not stay quiet while Trump and his allies try to safeguard Republican influence in Congress through redistricting.
The main point of the announcement is a proposed change to the California Constitution that will be put to voters in November. The Election Rigging Response Act is meant to protect fair representation and show the rest of the country that California is ready to fight back against what Newsom called “anti-American” practices. The amendment would keep California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission, encourage redistricting that isn’t based on party affiliation across the country, and temporarily set up new congressional districts until 2030 if other states go ahead with mid-cycle gerrymandering.
There are many parts to the legislative package that was just made public. One measure says that there should be a special election on November 4 so that people can vote on the constitutional amendment. Another one sets up a backup congressional map that might be used if states like Texas decide to change their districts outside of the typical ten-year census cycle. A third guarantees money to pay for the costs of running elections.
Newsom emphasized that the urgency of the moment left California no choice but to act.
“Trump’s unchecked power has cost Americans billions and taken an ax to the greatest democracy we’ve ever known,” he said.
He said that the president was forcing Texas politicians behind closed doors to change the congressional borders for political gain, even though polls show that most Texas people don’t like the plan.
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The governor also said that in the past few months he has talked with Texas leaders on disaster recovery after terrible storms. Instead, he claimed, Trump urged the legislators to come up with a redistricting plan that would keep Republicans in power. Newsom stated earlier this week that he gave Trump a chance to back down, but Trump turned it down.
California’s move has already sparked reactions nationwide. Democratic leaders in several states voiced their support for taking a tougher stance. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego warned of the “existential threat” facing democracy, while Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin insisted Democrats cannot fight “with one arm tied behind our backs.” Governors from New York, Illinois, and New Jersey also signaled they are prepared to examine their own redistricting options if Trump’s push in Texas goes forward.
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For Newsom, the goal of the effort is to make sure that California voters have a direct say in how the state reacts. He said it was not only a defense of California’s representation, but also a statement for democratic values across the country. As the midterms get closer, California is putting itself at the center of a high-stakes national fight about the norms of American democracy.
