Newsom, Pelosi Back Texas Democrats in Redistricting Standoff/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood with Texas Democrats in Sacramento, supporting their walkout to block GOP redistricting maps backed by Donald Trump. Republicans in Texas are threatening legal action and arrests to force lawmakers back. The dispute is becoming a national battle over U.S. House control ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Texas Redistricting Showdown Quick Looks
- Newsom, Pelosi join Texas Democrats in Sacramento show of support.
- Walkout blocks Texas GOP redistricting vote backed by Trump.
- Republicans threaten arrests, removals, and FBI help to end standoff.
- Paxton lawsuit targets Beto O’Rourke’s funding for absent lawmakers.
- California Democrats consider their own redistricting changes in response.
- Special session in Texas ends Aug. 19; fines mounting daily.
- High stakes for control of the U.S. House in 2026.
Newsom, Pelosi Back Texas Democrats in Redistricting Standoff
Deep Look
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined forces Friday to support Texas Democratic lawmakers who have staged a nearly weeklong walkout to block a congressional redistricting plan championed by President Donald Trump. The joint appearance at the California governor’s mansion marked a high-profile moment in what has become a national power struggle over control of the U.S. House in 2026.
The proposed Texas maps are designed to secure at least five additional Republican seats, a move that could help maintain the GOP’s narrow majority. Democrats say the maps represent a calculated gerrymander that undermines representative democracy, while Republicans argue they are acting within their legal authority.
California’s Countermove
In response to the developments in Texas, California Democrats are advancing plans for a November special election that could redraw district lines to flip five GOP-held seats in the state.
Newsom framed the fight as a defense of democratic principles, declaring, “We are trying to defend democracy, as opposed to see it destroyed district by district. There are no rules for Donald Trump.”
Pelosi echoed that sentiment, calling the Texas Democrats’ actions “self-defense for our democracy” and vowing to resist any effort by Trump to “pave over” fair elections.
Texas Republicans Raise the Stakes
Earlier Friday, the Texas House failed to meet a quorum for the third time in a week due to the ongoing Democratic absence. Republican leaders have warned of escalating measures to compel their return, including attempts to remove lawmakers from office, enlist FBI assistance, and issue civil arrest warrants.
“We have all hands on deck,” Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said. “We will keep pressing forward until the job is done.”
Legal Frontlines: O’Rourke and Paxton Clash
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, alleging his group Powered by People unlawfully funded and continued raising money for the absent lawmakers. A state court granted Paxton a temporary restraining order halting those activities.
O’Rourke, responding on X, accused Republicans of trying to “make examples out of those who fight so that others won’t.”
Separately, Paxton filed a direct challenge to the Texas Supreme Court, seeking immediate removal of 13 Democratic lawmakers for “abandoning” their duties. The filing claims they publicly admitted leaving to block legislative business. Democratic leaders argue the state constitution permits removal only by a two-thirds vote of the chamber, not judicial order.
National Dimensions of the Standoff
The Texas Democrats’ road trip has become a traveling protest. Earlier in the week, they joined Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who condemned Trump’s redistricting push as an attempt to “rig elections for his side.”
Texas State Rep. Ann Johnson, speaking in Sacramento, said, “We recognize this is not just about Texas. This is about ensuring that the voters get to determine the outcome of their next election.”
California Assembly member Isaac Bryan stressed the urgency, saying, “This is not a turn-the-other-cheek moment while they continue to send blow after blow to the foundations of democracy.”
GOP Vows Persistence
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledged to call special sessions “no matter how long it takes” until the redistricting bill passes. The current session ends Aug. 19, but absent lawmakers already face growing daily fines.
The dispute underscores the broader stakes: Trump is seeking enough safe Republican seats to avoid a repeat of the 2018 midterms, when Democrats took control of the House and proceeded to challenge his administration aggressively.
Analysts say the clash could spill into other states, testing not only the resilience of party strategies but also the limits of federalism in balancing state authority with national political agendas.
For now, Texas Democrats show no signs of returning, California Democrats are mobilizing their own counter-strategy, and both parties appear prepared for a prolonged and bitter fight over the congressional map — and the future balance of power in Washington.
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