Former US president wades into national conflict over House maps, as Texas lawmakers approve map to favor GOP

They want to do this by passing a state constitutional amendment via a ballot initiative during the 2026 general election.

Calif., said that he doesn’t have concerns about Democratic redistricting efforts backfiring while fighting against Texas Republicans.

Former President Barack Obama on Thursday sought to flip the script on accusations that he backs gerrymandering as he defended Democrats for launching retaliatory redistricting plans responding to Texas Republicans’ battle to redraw their state’s congressional map.

Obama’s comments came on the same day that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced his decision to pursue a state ballot initiative to offset Republicans’ controversial redistricting ploy in Texas. If approved, the plan would target five House Republicans in the Golden State.

"This is an effort to stifle Americans who have had enough," Texas House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu said in a press conference Wednesday. "Republicans know that their agenda and what they have done is so unpopular with not just liberals or Democrats but with all Americans that they need to cheat to rig the system so they can stay in power."