California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says

1:56California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks as he announces the redrawing of California’s congressional maps, urging voters to support a ballot measure in Los Angeles, Calif. August 14, 2025.Mike Blake/Reuters

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared on Thursday that he is advancing plans to put proposed new congressional maps for the state on the ballot during a special election on November 4, in response to mid-decade redistricting efforts being initiated by Republicans in Texas.

"I know they say 'Don't mess with Texas.' Well, don't mess with the magnificent Golden State," Newsom stated at a press conference, surrounded by Democratic lawmakers and union leaders from California.

"We're taking this action in response to a president of the United States who called a sitting governor of Texas and said, 'Find me five seats,'" he continued.

Prior to the event on Thursday, Newsom and his media team had been mocking President Donald Trump on social media, sharing satirical messages in all caps, seemingly imitating Trump's own social media style.

In his speech, Newsom emphasized that the state government will reaffirm its dedication to the state’s independent redistricting commission following the 2030 census, stating, "but we're seeking the voters’ approval to conduct midterm redistricting in 2026, 2028, and 2030 for congressional maps to address what's unfolding in Texas … and we'll approach this in a manner that also reflects our aspiration as a state to create a more equitable landscape across the United States."

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks as he announces the redrawing of California’s congressional maps, calling on voters to approve a ballot measure in Los Angeles, Calif. August 14, 2025.Mike Blake/Reuters

In a campaign video released simultaneously with his announcement, Newsom presented the issue in urgent terms.

"It is a five-alarm fire for democracy in the United States of America. Donald Trump, who is attempting to ignite a flame on democracy, is persistently trying to rig the election," Newsom asserts in the video.

Immigration arrest near Newsom speech

While the governor was speaking on Thursday, federal agents seemed to be executing an immigration enforcement operation outside the venue.

Federal agents congregate on the street outside the venue where California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke about the redrawing of California’s congressional maps before moving to a federal building in Los Angeles, Calif., August 14, 2025.KABC

"Where are we? We are at the Democracy Center and right outside at this very moment? There are countless ICE agents … You think it's coincidental?" Newsom remarked, referring to the Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles where he was delivering his remarks. "Donald Trump and his subordinates, [border czar] Tom Homan, tough guy, evidently determined, whether by coincidence or not, that this was a site to facilitate ICE arrests."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass asserted that there was "no way" the operation was a coincidence.

"This was broadly known that the governor and numerous elected officials were holding a press conference here to discuss redistricting. And they chose to come and disrespectfully confront the governor," she stated. "Why would you do that? It's incredibly disrespectful. It's a provocative act. They're speaking about disorder in Los Angeles and they are the cause of the disorder in Los Angeles right now. This is simply unacceptable."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Gregory Bovino informed reporters that CBP

Sourse: abcnews.go.com

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