Key takeaways
– Newsom adopts Trump style with all caps to mock Trump
– He unveils an Election Rigging Response Act for new maps
– Masked ICE agents made arrests outside his Los Angeles rally
– Newsom blames Trump tactics for trying to intimidate voters
California Governor Gavin Newsom spent the week firing back at President Donald Trump. He used Trump’s own over the top style in all caps on social media. His goal was to taunt Trump’s plan for red states to redraw their maps. Trump hopes to shrink Democratic districts and help Republicans win the House this fall.
Newsom called his counterplan the Election Rigging Response Act. He wants voters in November to approve a law letting California redraw its congressional maps. This would directly challenge Trump’s move to skip the ten year census and push through new maps early.
Newsom Adopts Trump Style
First Newsom started sending tweets in full uppercase and with bold claims. He even mocked Trump’s low poll numbers. He labeled them the lowest of any modern president. His posts read like parody. They used the same hyperbole that Trump favors.
Next he piled on when Fox News accused him of putting on an act. Newsom’s team answered by pointing out Border Patrol agents at his Los Angeles redistricting event. They posted photos and videos. They called the agents Trump’s private army. They said his event took place on private property.
What the Election Rigging Response Act Means
Newsom plans to ask Californians to let him redraw maps right away. Normally this happens only after a national census. His argument is simple. Trump upended the usual rules first. He jumped ahead of the ten year count. Now California should have a chance to respond.
If voters agree in November, California would redraw its own districts. The goal would be to protect Democratic seats. It also sends a message that states can fight back. Newsom says it will keep Trump from stealing seats through unfair maps.
Masked ICE Agents at Rally
In a surprising twist masked ICE agents began making arrests outside Newsom’s rally. Reporters caught the scene live on a major cable channel. Hosts praised the move as a sign that federal authorities will enforce immigration laws. This praise came even as Newsom warned the arrests were meant to scare people away.
People at the rally heard over loudspeakers that agents were moving in. Newsom later told the crowd he believes Trump ordered this intimidation. He said the arrests show why Californians must back his new law. He warned that people feel scared and targeted.
Reaction and Next Steps
Newsom seized on the arrests to bolster his campaign for the new law. He urged voters to show up in November and support the Act. He said California must not bow to Trump’s tactics. He insisted his plan is legal and needed to protect democracy.
Republicans in Texas and other red states remain ready to roll out new maps. They argue those maps follow census data from ten years ago. They claim it reflects current population shifts. Democrats say the maps unfairly slice up urban areas to dilute their votes.
Newsom’s move will likely face court challenges. Yet he seems prepared to take the fight all the way to the highest courts. He believes striking down Trump’s directive will help protect Democratic districts nationwide.
Looking Ahead
Voters will weigh Newsom’s plan in November. They will consider whether to let California redraw maps now. They will also decide if they see Trump’s redistricting push as fair. Meanwhile federal and state courts may soon hear arguments about the legality of both plans.
This clash may set a new precedent on how and when states can draw congressional districts. It could reshape the balance of power in Congress. It also shows how state leaders can use social media drama to rally their base.
In the end the decision rests with voters in California and the judges in court. But one thing is clear. The redistricting battle has become another front in the wider fight between Newsom and Trump. It may define the 2025 midterm elections and beyond.