Texas Republicans are distancing themselves from the original rationale used to justify their controversial mid-decade redistricting push. In a new court filing, they acknowledge that the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) July letter, which was once cited as the legal basis for redrawing congressional maps, was a "mistake."
In a 41-page filing, the Texas Attorney General's Office stated that Governor Greg Abbott (R) had used the DOJ letter as "political cover" to mask the true intent of redistricting, which was partisan advantage.
The acknowledgement comes days before a federal court begins hearing a lawsuit alleging the map is racially discriminatory in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
The redistricting plan, passed during a special legislative session, could net Republicans up to five additional congressional seats, largely weakening the voting strength of Black and Latino Texans.
Abbott previously cited "constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice" as justification for the mid-decade redraw.
However, the new filing dismisses the DOJ's concerns, raised by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, as legally flawed. It states the DOJ misunderstood recent court precedent and wrongly implied coalition districts were illegal.
"Governor Abbott's statements plainly reflect... a desire to transform the State's most heavily Democratic districts," the filing says.
The filing highlights that political, instead of racial, motives guided the redraw.
Democrats and civil rights groups argue the redistricting effort was designed to dilute minority voting power. Oral arguments begin October 1 in a case that could reshape the state's electoral map ahead of the 2026 midterms.
