California Democratic Politicians Push Back Against Trump
Sarah Sadwani, a Democratic member of California’s Civic District Commission, criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday, while also expressing her support for the state’s initiative to wrest control from her own commission.
Governor Gavin Newsom, along with key political figures in California, has initiated a gerrymandering effort aimed at eliminating several Republican representatives from the House by transferring the district’s authority from the Independence Committee to the state legislature. Even though she is part of this independent committee, Sadwani participated in a rally alongside Newsom to protest Trump’s perceived “executive overreach,” suggesting it undermines foundational democratic principles.
“We’ve witnessed a troubling acceptance of political violence and questionable actions by election officials on January 6th,” Sadwani remarked. “Furthermore, the National Guard’s presence in our cities feels like turning our communities into a police state. If that’s not alarming enough, executives are not hesitating to undermine foundational democratic values. We must respond. This is the hallmark of a dangerous democracy.”
Newsom’s actions can be seen as a countermeasure to Texas’s rezoning efforts, which are aimed at helping Republicans maintain their grip after the 2026 midterm elections. A special election, scheduled for November 4th, aims to determine if voters will grant rezoning authority to the state legislature instead of the Independent Committee.
The Independent Committee comprises five Republicans, five Democrats, and four independents. However, a survey conducted by the Citrin Center found that only 36% of Californians are in favor of handing redistricting power back to the state legislature.
During the rally, attendees displayed “Defend Democracy” signs, along with banners calling for an “Election Rigging Response Act.” Newsom urged that all states should resist efforts to undermine democracy. “We cannot allow democracy to erode district by district across this nation,” he declared. “It’s crucial that we all stand together, not just Californians but everyone.”
Vice President JD Vance, among others, has argued that the proposed congressional map in California is not as nonpartisan as Democrats assert. Currently, despite Trump’s victory, Republicans hold a dismal share of congressional seats in California, particularly in light of the 2024 presidential election results.
