Former President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he supported a proposal by California Democrats to redraw congressional lines in response to a Republican-led push in Texas to gain additional US House seats but expressed unease with the broader effects of political gerrymandering.

Newsom and Democratic leaders say they’ll ask voters to approve their new maps only for the next few elections, returning map-drawing power to the commission following the 2030 census — and only if a Republican state moves forward with new maps. Obama applauded that temporary timeline.

Obama reportedly said the California redistricting plan, which is being proposed in response to a Texas redistricting that could add five GOP seats in the U.S. House, would only be used if Texas Republicans follow through with the new congressional map.

Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on as Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Fransisco, delivers remarks during a news conference on redistricting at the Governor's Mansion in downtown Sacramento on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. California legislative leaders met with Texas Democratic lawmakers about Republican plans to redistrict. DANIEL HEUER [email protected]

Curry explains Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to counter Texas redistricting by redrawing California’s congressional maps.

The measure, which would appear on the ballot in the state in November if lawmakers approve it, is a response to Texas Republicans' mid-decade redistricting push.

The governor connected President Donald Trump’s request that Texas Republicans redraw districts to eke out another five House seats to the Jan. 6 insurrection, rollbacks on abortion rights, Trump’s dismantling of federal agencies and targeting of law firms, universities and museums, and federal deportation raids in California.

The Republican-controlled chamber will gavel back into session Wednesday with an intent to vote on a plan to help the GOP in the midterms.