Former President Barack Obama praised Texas Democrats who left their state to block the passage of a GOP-led redistricting proposal. Former President Barack Obama is applauding Texas Democrats for leaving their state in an attempt to block the passage of a Republican-led redistricting effort.

Obama’s comments came on the same day that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced his decision to pursue a state ballot initiative to offset Republicans’ controversial redistricting ploy in Texas. If approved, the plan would target five House Republicans in the Golden State.

There is no guarantee Democrats can prevent the Republican-powered redistricting, just as Democrats on Capitol Hill have not been able to stop Trump’s moves. But it’s a notable turn for a party that, by its own leaders’ admissions, has honored conventional rules and bypassed bare-knuckled tactics.

Former President Barack Obama accused Lone Star State Republicans of seeking to engage in gerrymandering in "a power grab that undermines our democracy"

The former California governor says Trump's plan to rig Texas redistricting maps for Republicans doesn't justify his Democratic successor Gavin Newsom gerrymandering blue seats in retaliation.

The topic of redistricting has been at the national forefront since Texas unveiled an aggressive plan to strip the Democrats of five congressional seats