DOJ joins lawsuit against Newsom over 'racial gerrymander' of California map

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.