Gov. Gavin Newsom is offering President Donald Trump an out of his expedited redistricting plan , promising to back off a Democratic gerrymander if red states aiming to pick up Republican seats ahead of the 2026 midterm election do the same.

In a letter sent to Trump on Monday, Newsom said he would call off his effort to enact special California congressional maps favoring Democrats if Trump directs Texas to abandon its new “hyperpartisan” maps that could flip five seats for Republicans.

“You are playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy, while knowing that California can neutralize any gains you hope to make,” Newsom wrote in the letter. “Attempting to rig congressional maps to hold onto power before a single vote is cast in the 2026 election is an affront to Ame

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