WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the Supreme Court permitted California to implement a new congressional map, endorsed by voters, that favors Democrats in the upcoming elections. This decision came despite a last-minute objection from state Republicans and the Trump administration.
The court issued a brief order dismissing the appeal without any dissenting opinions from the justices, a common practice for cases on its emergency docket.
Previously, the Supreme Court had also allowed a Republican-favored map in Texas to be used for the 2026 elections, even though a lower court found it likely discriminatory based on race.
In December, conservative Justice Samuel Alito noted that both California and Texas appeared to have crafted their maps for political gain. The Supreme Court has previously determined that political advantage is not a valid reason for a federal lawsuit.
Republicans, with support from the Trump administration, argued that the California map was inappropriately based on racial considerations. However, a lower court ruled against them by a 2-1 margin. Neither the Justice Department nor the White House immediately provided comments on the matter.
The Supreme Court’s unsigned order maintains districts intended to capture up to five seats currently held by Republicans. This decision is part of a broader national redistricting conflict influenced by former President Donald Trump, with congressional control hanging in the balance during the midterm elections.
Last year, at Trump’s behest, Texas Republicans redid the state’s congressional districts with an eye on gaining five seats.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is eyeing a 2028 presidential run, pledged to respond in kind, though he had to win over voters, not just lawmakers, to do so.
Newsom celebrated the court’s decision, saying on social media that Trump had “started this redistricting war” and would end up losing out in the November midterms, when control of Congress is at stake.
California’s attorney general, Democrat Rob Bonta, said the decision was “good news not only for Californians, but for our democracy.”
The state Republican Party, which brought the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
One longtime party strategist, Jon Fleishman, a former executive director of the California Republican Party, said in a post on X that the decision means “this year’s elections will take place on the new lines shrinking the already very small Republican delegation from California.”
Filing for congressional primaries in California begins on Monday.
Associated Press writers Michael Blood in Los Angeles and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.
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