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By Anna Commander
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President Donald Trump's administration has been handed two legal losses back-to-back this week related to redistricting and voter data in California.
Newsweek reached out to legal analysts on Thursday night for comment.
Why It Matters
Recent rulings by federal courts have delivered new defeats to Trump’s White House, underscoring the judiciary’s role as a check on executive power.
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These decisions, which address voting data and the nation's ongoing redistricting battles, have potentially far-reaching implications for the balance between state and federal government as well as future midterm electoral dynamics. The rulings against the Trump administration highlight ongoing tensions over presidential discretion in domestic affairs and efforts by states like California to assert their political autonomy.
What To Know
On Wednesday and Thursday, federal courts issued major rulings against Trump’s administration on two fronts. First, a federal court ruling in California upheld Proposition 50, rejecting claims that the state’s newly redrawn congressional map amounted to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The court, in a 2-1 decision, found that the challengers failed to prove race was the predominant factor driving the changes.
The decision means new Democratic-leaning districts will potentially shape the 2026 midterms. Republican officials have indicated plans to appeal.
In a second ruling on Thursday, federal Judge David O. Carter ruled against the administration in its attempt to obtain sensitive voter information in the state. Carter dismissed the case, saying in part, "the DOJ's request violates federal privacy laws, leave to amend would be futile."
The DOJ originally wanted the state, with California's Secretary of State Shirley Weber listed as the defendant, to produce the voter data. "The information requested by the DOJ was a litany of sensitive, personally identifying information such as social security numbers linked to voters’ names, voters’ addresses, voters’ phone numbers, methods of voter registration, voter participation history, political party registration, driver’s license numbers, language preference for ballots, ID numbers if no driver’s license, emails, and current voter registration status," the court document says.
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What People Are Saying
Attorney General Pam Bondi, on X Thursday morning: "We disagree with yesterday’s 2-1 ruling on California’s redistricting map. California impermissibly drew its new congressional map based on race. That’s unconstitutional. We are reviewing all legal options."
Governor [Gavin] Newsom Press Office, on X Thursday: "Back-to-back days now of Trump and his Administration losing to California."
Weber, in a statement on Thursday, The New York Times reported: “As California secretary of state, I am entrusted with ensuring that California’s state election laws are enforced—including state laws that protect the privacy of Californians’ data. I will continue to uphold my promise to Californians to protect our democracy, and I will continue to challenge this administration’s disregard for the rule of law and our right to vote.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration can appeal the federal court decisions.
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