close Video

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Department of Justice intervened Thursday in a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom that is challenging California's efforts to redraw the state's congressional map in time for the next election.

DOJ Civil Rights Division lawyers argued in a complaint that race was "used as a proxy" in California to justify creating districts favorable to Democrats, a move that served to offset the redistricting showdown in Texas that resulted in more Republican-leaning districts.

"In the press, California’s legislators and governor sold a plan to promote the interests of Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections," the DOJ lawyers wrote. "But amongst themselves and on the debate floor, the focus was not partisanship, but race

See Full Page