The Justice Department is suing to block a California map that could transfer control of Congress to Democrats

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday filed a lawsuit to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters last week, joining a court battle that could help determine which party wins control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

The complaint filed in federal court in California targets the new congressional map pushed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to a similar Republican-led effort in Texas supported by President Donald Trump. It sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political battle between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor, who is seen as a potential contender for the presidency in 2028.

“California’s redistricting scheme is a shameless power grab that tramples on civil rights and makes a mockery of the democratic process,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in an emailed statement. “Governor Newsom’s attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not succeed.”

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment that changes congressional boundaries to give Democrats a chance to win five seats now held by Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.

The Justice Department is joining a case challenging the new map filed last week by the California Republican Party. The Trump administration accuses California of racial gerrymandering in violation of the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters in the new map. He is asking a judge to prevent California from using the new map in any future elections.

Read more: What’s next in the national redistricting battle after California approved a new map for the U.S. House of Representatives

“Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is exactly what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50 — a recent ballot initiative that eliminated California’s pre-existing electoral map in favor of realigning California’s congressional district lines,” the lawsuit says.

Proposition 50 was Newsom’s response to Trump’s maneuverings in Texas, where Republicans have realigned districts in hopes of clinching five seats of their own before the 2026 midterm elections, when control of the House is at stake.

Democrats need to pick up a few seats next year to take control of the chamber, which would jeopardize Trump’s agenda for the remainder of his term and open the way for congressional investigations into his administration. Republicans hold 219 seats, compared to 214 for Democrats.

The standoff between the nation’s two most populous states has spread nationally, with Missouri, Ohio and a host of other states either adopting new district lines to gain a partisan advantage or considering doing so.

The national ramifications of the California ballot measures were evident in both the money they attracted and the prominent figures who participated in them. Tens of millions of dollars have poured into the race, including a $5 million donation to opponents from the Congressional Leadership Fund, the super PAC linked to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Los Angeles.

Former action movie star and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has opposed it, while former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, has appeared in ads supporting it, calling it a “smart” approach to countering Republican moves to protect control of the House.

The contest provided Newsom with a national platform when he confirmed that he would consider running for the White House in 2028.

Richter reported from Chicago.