The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, challenging the state’s recently adopted congressional redistricting plan enacted through Proposition 50.
According to the Justice Department, the new map is alleged to be racially gerrymandered in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The department contends that evidence from legislative records and public statements suggests that Latino demographics and racial considerations were prioritized when drawing district lines.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California stated, “The race-based gerrymandered maps passed by the California legislature are unlawful and unconstitutional. The U.S. Department of Justice is moving swiftly to prevent these illegal maps from tainting our upcoming elections. California is free to draw congressional maps, but they may not be drawn based on race.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented, “California’s redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process. Governor Newsom’s attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.”
Jesus A. Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, added, “Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50. Californians were sold an illegal, racially gerrymandered map, but the U.S. Constitution prohibits its use in 2026 and beyond.”
The Department’s motion to intervene in Tangipa, et al. v. Newsom, et al., is currently pending before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Representing the United States in this matter are Assistant United States Attorney Julie A. Hamill from the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section and Trial Attorneys David Goldman, Joshua R. Zuckerman, and Greta Gieseke from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon has recused herself from this case; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete will represent the Department.
