DOJ Seeks to Block California’s New Congressional Maps (1)

The US Justice Department is moving to try to block California’s Democratic-leaning congressional districts that were approved by the state’s voters last week, raising the stakes in an ongoing fight over the new maps.

The Trump administration asked for a judge’s permission Thursday to join a Nov. 5 lawsuit filed by California Republicans which accuses Governor Gavin Newsom of pushing through a ballot measure that illegally bolsters the voting power of Hispanics in the state.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the new maps are an attempt at a “brazen power grab” by Newsom, a Democrat widely expected to run ...