Nancy Pelosi just publicly endorsed California’s threat to weaponize redistricting against Republicans, proving Democrats will abandon every principle they claim to hold sacred the moment it serves their political interests.
Democrats Abandon Their Own Redistricting Principles
The hypocrisy is breathtaking. For years, Democrats lectured Americans about the evils of partisan gerrymandering while positioning themselves as champions of “fair maps” and independent redistricting commissions. California even created an independent commission in 2010 as a supposed reform measure. Now, faced with Texas Republicans exercising their constitutional authority to redraw congressional districts, Governor Gavin Newsom and Nancy Pelosi are ready to torch their own reforms faster than a California wildfire.
https://twitter.com/camhigby/status/1950694920462975166
Pelosi’s endorsement of Newsom’s retaliatory redistricting threat exposes the Democrats’ true colors. When CNN asked if she agreed that the 2026 election was being “rigged,” Pelosi responded with an emphatic “absolutely.” This from the same party that spent four years screaming about election integrity and democratic norms. Apparently, those principles only apply when they benefit Democrats.
Texas Exercises Constitutional Authority While Democrats Cry Foul
Let’s be crystal clear about what’s actually happening here. Texas Republicans are proposing a new congressional map that could flip five Democratic seats to Republican control. This is entirely legal and within their constitutional authority as the elected representatives of Texas voters. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that partisan considerations in redistricting are a political question, not a legal one. Yet Democrats are shrieking about democracy being under attack.
The proposed Texas map targets districts currently held by Democrats Al Green, Julie Johnson, Marc Veasey, Greg Casar, and Lloyd Doggett. These changes reflect the political reality that Texas has been trending more conservative, and the maps should represent the will of Texas voters, not preserve Democratic incumbents who no longer reflect their districts’ preferences.
California’s Retaliatory Threat Undermines Democratic Institutions
Newsom’s response reveals the authoritarian impulses lurking beneath California’s progressive facade. The governor is threatening to override California’s independent redistricting commission, a body Democrats once hailed as a model for the nation. His target list includes Republican incumbents Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, Doug LaMalfa, and David Valadao. So much for respecting independent institutions when they don’t produce the desired political outcomes.
This isn’t about protecting democracy or ensuring fair representation. This is about raw political power, and Democrats are willing to destroy the very institutions they created to maintain their grip on it. State Senator Carol Alvarado calls the Texas proposal “extreme,” but what’s truly extreme is abandoning your own redistricting reforms the moment they become politically inconvenient.
The Real Threat to Democratic Norms
The Democrats’ reaction to Texas redistricting exposes their fundamental misunderstanding of American federalism. States have the constitutional authority to draw their own congressional districts. When Republicans exercise this authority, it’s called governing, not rigging. But when Democrats threaten to abandon their own reform measures in response, that’s the real threat to democratic institutions.
David Daly from Fair Vote warns of a “redistricting arms race,” but this escalation is entirely driven by Democratic threats of retaliation against legitimate Republican actions. Texas isn’t breaking any norms; they’re following the same playbook Democrats have used for decades in states they control. The difference is Republicans don’t pretend to be above politics while engaging in it.
Sources:
Texas Tribune – Texas redistricting California Newsom retaliatory congressional maps
California Governor’s Office – Governor Newsom meets with Texas state leaders
Democracy Docket – Republicans release proposed new Texas congressional map
CalMatters – Gavin Newsom redistricting