The Trump administration has taken the unusual step of suing the state of California over Proposition 50, a newly approved ballot measure that authorizes the state legislature to redraw California’s U.S. House districts for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 election cycles.

In a federal lawsuit filed late Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accused California of adopting a “race-based redistricting plan” in violation of the 14th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. The complaint seeks to block the use of the new map in the 2026 elections and argues that Prop 50 was enacted in a manner that unlawfully prioritizes race in district design.

Attorney General Pam Bondi sharply criticized California’s actions, calling the measure a “brazen power grab that tramples civil rights,” according to the DOJ statement. The federal government also joined Tangipa v. Newsom, a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the California Republican Party and 19 voters, which claims that the new map unconstitutionally favors Hispanic voters.

Prop 50 enables the legislature to temporarily replace the map drawn by California’s independent redistricting commission—a shift criticized by Republicans but defended by Democrats as necessary. The measure was promoted as a direct response to redistricting efforts in several GOP-led states, including Texas, where Trump reportedly encouraged officials to redraw maps to benefit Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislative framework supporting Prop 50 in August, describing it as the “Election Rigging Response Act.” He argued that California needed tools to counter what he called Trump’s attempts to “undermine democracy.” The governor’s ballot committee, along with Democratic Party organizations and major labor and civil rights groups, heavily backed the “Yes on 50” campaign.

Despite multiple pre-election legal challenges, California courts—including the state Supreme Court—allowed the ballot measure to move forward. On November 4, voters approved Prop 50 with approximately 64 percent support, according to returns compiled by Ballotpedia.

Analysts at the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies estimate that the newly drawn districts could net Democrats as many as five additional House seats, though ultimate outcomes will depend on voter behavior in 2026 and beyond.

On Wednesday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which played a role in shaping the map, was granted permission to intervene in court to help defend Prop 50.