We can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by,” the former president said on a Zoom call with Texas Democrats.

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.

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

Texas Democrats plan to end their walkout over redistricting, returning only if Gov. Abbott concludes the special session, amid ongoing tensions surrounding district redraws.

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

A partisan move by Texas to redraw its congressional maps in the middle of the decade to secure five more GOP seats in the U.S. House set off a clamor to replicate the effort in statehouses controlled by both parties.

Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas to block controversial new congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump are planning a return to the state early next week, shifting tactics so they can fight the plan in court.