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Category: Politics
November 19, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Trump Expected to Sign Bill Releasing Epstein Files Today.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump will sign legislation ordering the release of the remaining federal government files regarding deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA), House Republicans, House Democrats, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the U.S. Senate, and Jeffrey Epstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill is expected to be signed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The Department of Justice (DOJ) will be forced to release the remaining documents in its possession pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is expected to sign legislation ordering the release of the remaining federal government files regarding deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This comes after a discharge petition was passed near-unanimously by the House of Representatives and adopted by the United States Senate through unanimous consent.

Notably, alterations to the legislation, pushed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other Republican leaders in the lower chamber, were not adopted by the Senate. The upper chamber instead opted to adopt the legislation in a unanimous consent motion before it even reached the Senate floor. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) made a unanimous consent motion, meaning that the bill was effectively adopted as soon as it was transferred to the Senate and would be sent to the White House for President Donald J. Trump’s signature.

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that House leaders were concerned over the lack of specific protections for victims’ identities and the lack of a prohibition on the release of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) in the legislation. Earlier on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson held a press conference, urging his U.S. Senate colleagues to amend the legislation to ensure such protections were in place.

Additionally, Representative Clay Higgins (R-A) was the sole vote against the House discharge petition and legislation, arguing it recklessly “abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America.” Higgins echoed the concerns raised by Speaker Johnson and other House leaders, stating: “As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people—witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc. If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt.”

Despite the pleas from Johnson, Higgins, and others, the Senate left the legislation unchanged. Due to its near-unanimous support, the bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump on Wednesday.

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November 18, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Trump Says Dem Mega Donor Reid Hoffman Should be Investigated… As We’ve Said for YEARS.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday called on LinkedIn co-founder and billionaire Democrat donor Reid Hoffman to be investigated over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and travels to the latter’s Little Saint James island—dubbed “Pedo Island.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Reid Hoffman, President Donald J. Trump, and The National Pulse.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That creep fund guy was with him all the time. What’s his name? Reid Hoffman. I don’t know Reid Hoffman, but I know he spends a lot of money on the radical left. Reid Hoffman, in my opinion, should be under investigation.” — Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The National Pulse has long documented Hoffman’s ties to Epstein and called for the billionaire’s investigation by federal prosecutors.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday called on LinkedIn co-founder and billionaire Democrat donor Reid Hoffman to be investigated over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and travels to the latter’s Little Saint James island—dubbed “Pedo Island.” The President’s remarks came during a White House Oval Office event with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, also known as MBS. Notably, Hoffman was a key donor and advisor to Kamala Harris’s failed presidential campaign.

Responding to a press question about deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and a House vote ordering the release of the federal government’s Epstein Files, Trump made reference to Hoffman—at first calling him a “creep fund guy.” The National Pulse has long pushed for a federal investigation into Hoffman and his ties to Epstein, along with his financial network benefiting Democratic Party candidates for years.

“That creep fund guy was with him all the time. What’s his name? Reid Hoffman. I don’t know Reid Hoffman, but I know he spends a lot of money on the radical left. Reid Hoffman, in my opinion, should be under investigation,” President Trump said. “He’s a sleaze bag, and those are the people, but they don’t get any press, they don’t get any news, and you’re not after the radical left because you’re a radical left network,” he added, before telling the questioner to “go back and learn how to be a reporter.”


Hoffman, who in recent years has become a sort of “mini” George Soros for the Democrats, was a key financial backer of fabulist E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuits against President Trump. Additionally, Hoffman crossed party lines to back former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, in the hope that she could defeat or at least damage Trump. Hoffman has also funded numerous lawfare efforts against right-leaning entities, including underwriting Smartmatic’s defamation lawsuits against Fox News and Newsmax.

In addition to his lawfare and election efforts, Hoffman has also been exposed as one of the key donors behind the far-left website and social media influencer group, MeidasTouch Network. The National Pulse previously reported on how MeidasTouch—founded by the three Meiselas brothers, Ben, Brett, and Jordy—helped popularize the “bloodbath hoax” against President Trump in 2024.

Image by JD Lasica.

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November 18, 2025
Immigration
Politics

Trump Rule May Limit Immigrants’ Use of Public Benefits.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed a new regulation expanding the public charge policy, potentially limiting immigrants’ use of public benefits.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), migrants, and the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The proposed regulation was released this week and will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Rescission would restore broader discretion to evaluate all pertinent facts and align with long-standing policy that aliens in the United States should be self-reliant and government benefits should not incentivize immigration,” the proposal states.

🎯IMPACT: The rule may discourage immigrants from accessing public benefits.

IN FULL

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a regulation that would expand the public charge policy, potentially limiting immigrants’ access to public benefits. The suggested changes mean that programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicare could be considered when determining an immigrant’s eligibility for legal status, including green cards.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled the proposal, which will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday. It seeks to rescind the Joe Biden-era public charge rule and broaden the scope of public benefits that immigration officers may evaluate, extending it to include health or social services used by applicants.

“Rescission would restore broader discretion to evaluate all pertinent facts and align with long-standing policy that aliens in the United States should be self-reliant and government benefits should not incentivize immigration,” the proposal outlines. However, immigration advocates criticized the move, with Adriana Cadenas, executive director of the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition, complaining that it “deters lawfully present immigrants and U.S. citizens from seeking health care and help they need and qualify for under federal law.”

The regulation follows debates over immigrants’ access to social safety net programs. While immigrants without legal status are already technically barred from accessing programs like SNAP or Medicaid, Congress has recently imposed additional restrictions on legal immigrants. Some state-funded benefits may also now be considered in immigration reviews under the new rule.

During his first term, President Donald J. Trump expanded the definition of public charge, making it more difficult for immigrants to obtain permanent status if they used certain public benefits. The Biden government later reversed this policy in 2022, narrowing the scope of benefits considered. The latest proposal, however, signals a return to a broader approach.

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November 18, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Dems Now Try to Dox Epstein Victims, Release Child P*rn.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained Tuesday that there remain significant issues with the Democrat-led discharge petition that would force the release of the Epstein Files held by the federal government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republicans, House Democrats, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and files pertaining to deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I am very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate—which it is no certainty that it will be—that they will take the time, methodically, to do what we have not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure these protections are there.” — Mike Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The comments indicate the Epstein Files will take some time to be released as the Senate is likely to change the parameters of how the federal government is to go about making the documents public—which will require a second House vote as well.

IN FULL

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained Tuesday that there remain significant issues with the Democrat-led discharge petition that would force the release of the Epstein Files held by the federal government. While the Republican House leader acknowledged that he lacks the votes to block the measure, he also made clear that Republican efforts to amend the discharge petition to ensure the privacy rights of victims and those with no criminal ties to Epstein were rejected by Democrats. Additionally, Johnson raised concerns that the petition lacks language preventing the release of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) and sealed grand jury testimony—the latter of which has had no adversarial challenge.

“Our side has been insistent that this matter must be handled very carefully,” the Republican Speaker explained before detailing that the language used in the Democrat-led discharge petition is so vague that it provides no protections for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims or even provisions to bar the release of CSAM materials collected from Epstein’s properties. Speaker Johnson continued: “We want maximum transparency,” though he warned that as currently written, the discharge petition is likely to muddy the waters further.

“So what am I to do as a leader in a situation like this?” Johnson posed during his morning press conference on Tuesday, ahead of the vote. He continued: “I called my counterpart in the Senate, Leader Thune, and I talked through this with him and I shared our deep concerns. And of course they share those concerns as well.”

“So I am very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate—which it is no certainty that it will be—that they will take the time, methodically, to do what we have not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure these protections are there,” Johnson stated.

Overall, House Republicans presented five key objections to the Democrat-led discharge petition as it is written. Namely, that it fails to protect the right to privacy of Epstein’s victims. While a number of the women preyed upon by the deceased pedophile financier have come forward, there are still many who have chosen not to go public with their allegations or horrific experiences. In addition, Speaker Johnson and House Republicans note that the release of sealed grand jury materials—which have not undergone adversarial challenges—risks implicating potentially innocent individuals in Epstein’s crimes, effectively creating a new class of victim.

Thirdly, they note that the petition fails to create adequate guardrails preventing the release of CSAM or child pornography that may be contained within the files, especially from materials seized from Epstein’s properties. Their fourth objection pertains to the impact the petition could have on future investigations, as it provides no protections for the identities of whistleblowers, informants, or undercover law enforcement involved in gathering evidence against Epstein, and who may be involved in current and ongoing investigations.

Lastly, Speaker Johnson notes the language lacks any reference to a proper declassification process. This could result in the unwanted disclosure of information and intelligence gathering practices.

Image by Maryland GovPics.

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November 14, 2025
NatSec
Politics

Trump Reverses Biden’s Alaska Drilling Restrictions.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration finalized a rule revoking Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas drilling in Alaska.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of the Interior (DOI), President Donald J. Trump, and North Slope community leaders in Alaska

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on November 13, 2025, impacting the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

💬KEY QUOTE: “By rescinding the 2024 rule, we are following the direction set by President Trump to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, create jobs for North Slope communities and strengthen American energy security.” – Doug Burgum

🎯IMPACT: The move restores energy development opportunities, creates local jobs, and reduces U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources.

IN FULL

The Trump administration announced on Thursday, November 13 that it is moving to rescind a former Biden government rule restricting oil and gas drilling in Alaska. According to the Department of the Interior (DOI), the finalized rule—set to be published in the Federal Register on November 17—will reverse limits on drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve on Alaska’s North Slope.

The National Petroleum Reserve, which spans approximately 23 million acres, has been designated for energy development since 1923. However, Biden-era policies restricted drilling on over 13 million acres of this area, citing perceived environmental concerns.

Conversely, the DOI now aims to restore drilling to enhance U.S. energy security and reduce dependence on foreign sources. This, the department argues, will bring federal energy policy further into alignment with President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order to expand natural resource development on federal and state lands in Alaska.

“By rescinding the 2024 rule, we are following the direction set by President Trump to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, create jobs for North Slope communities, and strengthen American energy security,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. He added that the action promotes responsible development while benefiting both Alaska and the nation.

Local support for the decision came from the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, a nonprofit representing North Slope communities, which highlighted the benefits of tax revenue for essential services. North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak called the move a “meaningful step toward restoring a federal process” that respects local leadership. “Good policy comes from good process, which requires hearing directly from the people who live, work, and hunt here,” Patkotak stated.

Far-left green agenda groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), have criticized the rollback. Bobby McEnaney, NRDC director of land conservation, said, “This rollback is nothing more than a giveaway to the oil and gas industry. Weakening protections is reckless, and it threatens to erase the very landscapes Congress sought to safeguard.”

Image by Richard Martin.

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November 14, 2025
Politics

Now the Indiana GOP Is Throwing in the Towel on Redistricting?

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Indiana’s GOP state senate leader announced the chamber will not reconvene in December to redraw congressional maps, dealing a setback to President Donald J. Trump’s redistricting push.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R), Vice President J.D. Vance, and Indiana lawmakers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Friday in Indianapolis, Indiana.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December.” – Rodric Bray

🎯IMPACT: The decision weakens the GOP’s efforts to secure a stronger House majority through redistricting, while Democrats ramp up similar efforts in other states.

IN FULL

Indiana state Republican lawmakers announced Friday that the state Senate will no longer convene in December to redraw congressional maps, delivering a significant blow to President Donald J. Trump‘s push for mid-decade redistricting to preserve his Republican House of Representatives majority. State Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R) made the decision to forego the December special session after determining the effort lacked the support to be successful after a failed test vote.

“Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December,” Bray said in a statement. The decision comes despite efforts by Vice President J.D. Vance, who visited Indiana multiple times to lobby lawmakers, and President Trump, who had hosted Bray and other state leaders in the Oval Office to discuss the matter in August.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Trump’s allies. Alex Bruesewitz, a supporter of the America First leader, took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Bray and other Republicans, saying, “Our party can no longer afford to harbor these gutless, self-serving traitors who stab us in the back while accomplishing absolutely nothing.” Meanwhile, Governor Mike Braun (R-IN) urged the Senate to “do the right thing and show up to vote for fair maps.”

Democrats, on the other hand, celebrated the decision. Representative Andre Carson (D-IN), whose seat was likely to be redrawn, praised the move, stating, “Prayer, people, and partnerships power change. Hoosiers do things differently. We’re about collaboration, not division.” Carson commended Bray and other lawmakers for sticking to “Hoosier values.”

The setback in Indiana is part of a broader struggle for Republican-led redistricting efforts, which have also stalled in Kansas, Nebraska, and New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Democrats are advancing their own redistricting plans in states like California and Virginia, which could potentially result in the gain of several seats.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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November 14, 2025
William Upton
Politics

NY Gov. Hochul Considers MASSIVE Corporate Tax Hike to Fund Mamdani’s Socialist Policies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) is considering a massive tax increase on New York corporations in order to pay for the far-left socialist agenda of New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, President Donald J. Trump, and New York corporations and taxpayers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 14, 2025, in New York.

🎯IMPACT: New York has already seen significant cuts in federal funding and is projected to face an over $4 billion budget deficit in the coming fiscal year, complicating matters for both Hochul and Mamdani.

IN FULL

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) is considering a massive tax increase on New York corporations in order to pay for the far-left socialist agenda of New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani (D). Following Mamdani’s victory in the city’s mayoral race, Hochul pledged not to raise taxes on the state’s high earners but is now considering a hike in the state corporate income tax instead.

Notably, the corporate tax increase under consideration would primarily serve as a means to alleviate a more than $4 billion budget deficit New York state is estimated to face in the coming fiscal year. However, Hochul’s administration believes the hike could also be used as a pay-for to cover some of Mamdani’s radical policy ideas, which have included city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze, expansion of housing, free city buses, free childcare, and other far-left proposals.

While Hochul’s budget director has insisted that tax increases are “the last thing on my mind” and contends the state is in a “good spot financially,” the rumblings coming from Albany suggest New York’s top Democrat leader may be reversing course in light of Mamdani’s meteoric rise within the party.

The precarious fiscal situation forecasted for the state, though, could prove too much for Mamdani’s agenda. Already, New York state has seen federal cuts enacted by the Trump administration as the White House seeks to slash government waste and fraudulent spending. In early October, the Trump administration cut $18 billion in federal infrastructure funding to New York City over concerns it would be subjected to unconstitutional DEI constraints by city officials.

President Donald J. Trump previously threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if Mamdani were elected, citing his far-left policies. However, following Mamdani’s victory, Trump remarked that he would speak with the incoming mayor and “will help him a little bit, maybe.”

Hochul will likely face a strong challenge from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in 2026, with polling currently showing the two neck and neck. Mamdani’s term begins on January 1.

Image by Marc A. Hermann / MTA.

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November 14, 2025
News
Politics

Vance Will Discuss 2028 Presidential Run With Trump After Midterms.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President J.D. Vance said he will discuss the possibility of a 2028 presidential run with President Donald J. Trump after the 2026 midterms.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vice President Vance, President Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The comments were made on Thursday evening in a Fox News interview.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to do everything that we can to win the midterms. And then after that, I’m going to sit down with the President of the United States and talk to him about it.” – J.D. Vance

🎯IMPACT: Vance’s comments highlight his focus on the midterms.

IN FULL

Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on addressed speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028 in a Fox News interview on Thursday. Vance said he will discuss the matter with President Donald J. Trump after the 2026 midterms, but stressed that they are his immediate focus, being key to securing the President’s agenda.

“I [have] thought about what that moment might look like after the midterm elections, sure, but… I try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now, and my job is to do it,” Vance said, explaining: “[I]f you start getting distracted and focused on what comes next, I think it actually makes you worse at the job that you have.”

Vance, a favorite among MAGA supporters, is seen as a leading Republican contender for 2028. Early polls suggest he is competitive in a hypothetical matchup against California Governor Gavin Newsom, a likely Democratic candidate.

“I really want us to win the midterms because if the Democrats get in power, they’re going to try to screw up a lot of the great things the President of the United States has done over the past ten months,” Vance said, emphasizing that some of the proverbial “trees” the administration has planted will take a few years to “bear fruit,” reiterating, “I don’t want the Democrats to screw that up.”

Regarding a potential contest with Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the 2028 nomination, Vance was conciliatory, saying, “If Marco eventually runs for President… we can cross that bridge when we come to it, adding that “if either one of us end up running, it’s a long, long ways in the future, and neither of us is entitled to it.”

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November 13, 2025
News
Politics

Noem Distributes $10,000 Bonuses to TSA Agents Who Worked Through Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced $10,000 bonus checks for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who worked without pay during the Senate Democrats’ government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, TSA agents, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced at a press conference on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are not only going to continue their paychecks like they should’ve received all along, but also they’re going to receive a bonus check for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day, for serving the American people.” – Kristi Noem

🎯IMPACT: TSA agents and air traffic controllers will receive financial recognition for their service during the shutdown, while air travel disruptions may persist temporarily.

IN FULL

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on November 13 that thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees will receive $10,000 bonus checks for their “exemplary service” during the recent record-breaking government shutdown. Standing beside TSA officers who continued working without pay, Noem said the payments would serve both as compensation and recognition for their dedication.

“We are not only going to continue their paychecks like they should’ve received all along, but also they’re going to receive a bonus check for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day, for serving the American people,” Noem said during the press conference. She distributed several checks to TSA agents at the event.

President Donald J. Trump made a similar promise earlier in the week, saying he would recommend $10,000 bonuses for air traffic controllers who remained on duty. “For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country,” Trump stated.

The shutdown, which began on October 1 and ended late Wednesday after 43 days, was the longest in U.S. history. It stemmed from a budget standoff between congressional Democrats and Republicans over government spending priorities. Senate Democrats blocked Republican measures that would have ensured continued pay for members of the military and federal employees during the funding lapse.

During the shutdown, millions of federal workers went without pay, and essential programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, faced disruptions. The Trump administration announced that SNAP would continue at 50 percent of its usual funding levels, prompting widespread concern among recipients. The standoff concluded when President Trump signed a short-term spending bill to reopen the government, allowing agencies to resume normal operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that staffing shortages during the shutdown forced a reduction of up to 10 percent in air traffic at 40 major airports nationwide. Despite missing paychecks, thousands of TSA agents and air traffic controllers continued to work to keep flights operating safely.

Noem emphasized that the administration aims to support those workers who endured financial hardship during the shutdown. “We will be looking at every single TSA official that helped serve during this government shutdown and do what we can to recognize that and help them financially with a bonus check to get them and their family back on their feet,” she said.

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November 13, 2025
Politics

Trump Sues to Block California’s Congressional Redistricting Plan.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit to block California’s newly approved congressional district boundaries.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), and California voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: California, November 13, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50.” – DOJ Lawsuit

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit could influence control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections.

IN FULL

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday that it is suing to block California’s newly approved congressional district boundaries, setting the stage for a legal battle that could shape the 2026 midterm elections. Filed in federal court, the lawsuit seeks to challenge Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment passed by California voters that temporarily suspends the state’s redistricting commission, allowing the legislature to redraw district lines.

In the filing—in which the DOJ is joining a lawsuit already being brought by the California Republican Party—the Trump administration accuses California of racial gerrymandering, alleging the state used race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters. “Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50,” the lawsuit states. It seeks to prevent the state from using the new map in future elections.

Proposition 50, advanced by Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), aims to help Democrats gain five Republican-held seats in the House. Newsom’s move follows a Republican-led redistricting effort in Texas, supported by President Donald J. Trump. The outcome of the DOJ’s challenge could have significant implications for party control in the House of Representatives. Republicans currently hold 219 seats, while Democrats hold 214, leaving Democrats needing only a small gain to reclaim the majority.

The National Pulse reported earlier this month that Kansas Republicans abandoned efforts to hold a special legislative session in order to pass a redistricting plan that would have targeted Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS), the only Democrat member of the state’s congressional delegation. State Representative Dan Hawkins (R), the state House Speaker, announced on Tuesday that he lacked the votes to convene a special session without the approval of Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS).

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