Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has dismissed Governor Gavin Newsom’s claim that the proposed redistricting plan is temporary, calling it a ‘total fantasy.’ During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on ‘State of the Union,’ Schwarzenegger argued that any government initiative labeled as temporary ultimately becomes permanent. He emphasized that the redistricting effort, aimed at reshaping congressional districts, would set a precedent for gerrymandering, allowing politicians to manipulate district boundaries indefinitely to maintain power.
Schwarzenegger criticized the Democrats’ approach, noting that it undermines fair representation and cheats the American public. He argued that the redistricting strategy, particularly under Proposition 50, is more about political gain than genuine reform. ‘The American people get cheated on this whole thing,’ he said, warning that the plan would enable politicians to draw district lines in ways that prioritize their own interests over the needs of voters.
Newsom, in response, dismissed criticism of the redistricting effort, stating, ‘Spare me the moral high ground.’ He defended the initiative as a necessary step to ensure fair representation and counteract the effects of gerrymandering. However, Schwarzenegger contended that the plan would allow for continued manipulation of district lines, with states like Texas and Florida also maintaining their own gerrymandering practices. He warned that by 2032, when the independent redistricting commission is supposed to be in place, the system would still be plagued by gerrymandering.
The redistricting battle is part of a broader political struggle, with voting underway to add as many as five Democrat-held seats in Congress. This could potentially offset the impact of President Donald Trump’s moves in Texas and other states to help Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. Schwarzenegger, who once opposed Trump, believes Democrats must outperform Trump to justify their redistricting efforts. He criticized the current approach as being more about short-term political gains than long-term democratic reform.
Critics argue that the redistricting process is inherently political and that the current system is designed to maximize influence for certain parties. Schwarzenegger, however, believes the focus should be on ensuring fair representation rather than using redistricting as a tool to entrench political power. Despite his public disagreements with Newsom, Schwarzenegger noted that the two remain friendly and have discussed the issue without personal attacks, highlighting the complexity of political debates over electoral reform.