The US Justice Department has officially joined a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to halt the state's recently passed congressional redistricting map.
This legal action, submitted to federal court, challenges the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in response to a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"The state's redistricting scheme constitutes a blatant attempt to seize control that tramples on voting rights and mocks the electoral system," stated the US attorney general.
Democrats have voiced assurance that the redistricting plan will survive court challenges.
"These opponents were defeated in the election and soon they will also lose in court," stated a representative for the governor.
Legal Basis
The lawsuit claims that California's map improperly used race as a factor to heavily favor Latino communities in violation of the US Constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a substitute to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a high-ranking representative from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Political Context
This courtroom confrontation represents the major counterpunch by Democrats in the continuing political battle that started with Texas and has extended to various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan needed voter approval, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
The Democratic party need to gain just a small number of Republican-held House seats to gain majority of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.
The party that holds the majority will shape the final years of the sitting president's term, deciding if a unified Republican Congress will persist in implementing its political program or face resistance, congressional probes and possible further challenges.
- Legal counsel for the plaintiffs is being handled by a well-known legal group
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- However, this attorney has been removed from this particular case
