California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom is threatening to scrap his state’s voter-approved independent redistricting process in a bid to retaliate against a Republican-led push to redraw congressional maps in Texas.
The move comes after Texas Democrats fled the state to block a vote on new maps.
The dispute prompted Newsom to demand that President Donald Trump “stand down” in the national redistricting fight.
Newsom warned that the GOP effort could spark a nationwide “arms race” over congressional boundaries.
In a letter to Trump on Monday, Newsom accused the president of “playing with fire.”
The governor also vowed to counter any Republican gains in Texas.
“You are playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy, while knowing that California can neutralize any gains you hope to make,” Newsom wrote.
He called the Texas effort “an affront to American democracy” and said he favored leaving the process to independent commissions.
However, Newsom warned that he would abandon that position if red states pressed forward.
“If you do not call your lapdogs off, CA will act quickly and swiftly,” Newsom warned in a video posted to X.
“We will neutralize whatever gains you make.
“We will not stand by while you light Democracy