A California movement known as "CALEXIT" is forging ahead to secede from the union and become its own sovereign, self-governing nation, amid recent efforts by President Donald Trump and Texas conservatives to redistrict legislative seats in the GOP's favor.
Why It Matters
The Republican-led Texas legislature voted last Wednesday to advance its congressional redistricting plan ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with the Texas House of Representatives voting 88-52 along party lines and the Texas Senate following suit the next day.
Trump has openly expressed his desire for other Republican-led states to similarly redraw voting maps to improve their chances of securing a majority. The GOP, which currently holds a slim majority in both houses of Congress, could face historical political headwinds next year as the party of the president in power traditionally experiences shortcomings at the polls.
As the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives remains in flux, Democratic officials, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, have threatened to retaliate if Texas finalizes its map. He's vowed to "fight fire with fire" and prevent Trump from trying to "rig" the midterms.
What To Know
California is not wasting any time in combating what is happening in Texas.
Last week, the California State Assembly passed a new map by a 57-20 vote, followed by a 30-8 party-line vote in the California Senate that would add five seats that favor Democrats. The California measure would only replace the current map and expire in 2030, the original deadline.
But CALEXIT is pursuing something bigger: Seceding from the "unelected bureaucrats in Washington that we didn't elect" and having "a government that begins and ends at the borders of California."
Organizers tell Newsweek that the effort is based on California already having everything it needs to thrive, including a robust economy, strong industries, and global influence, coupled with a presence in technology, entertainment, and agriculture, as well as rich natural resources, renewable energy, and strong trade connections.
"Does CALEXIT believe that combatting an arguably unlawful, if not unconstitutional conspiracy to defeat the legitimate aims of a democratic society, is in the best interest of a state who has seen active duty Marines deployed to downtown Los Angeles; masked and unidentified third-world death squad equivalents kidnap women, children and hard-working Californians from our streets while fire disaster victims wait patiently for a president to determine if they were nice enough to receive federal aid? In a word, 'Yes,' CALEXIT political director J.J. Ames, Jr. told Newsweek.
He and the group believe it's in their best interest for California to fully and completely determine its own destiny.
"It is absolutely in the best interest of California to at least have considered input into federal policy decisions which utilize revenue generated by California to subsidize policy implementation in more than 35 states, and to have a one person, one vote standard made applicable, as it was always intended, to all of the 50 states," Ames said.
"As it stands, following the conspiratorial advances evidenced by the undertaking in Texas, not only is California disadvantaged with respect to charting the most efficient and effective means of providing services to its citizens; California is now further compromised to the extent that those American voters residing in Texas but perhaps supportive of a more progressive political agenda are forced to muster three brown votes to equal every one white vote, and five Black votes to counter every one white vote."
CALEXIT has pushed sovereignty since 2014. However, according to Ames, the events of January 6, 2021, and the ongoing developments regarding Trump's militarization of federal troops in places like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., are a precursor to something bigger.
"Clearly, no one in government with the ability to act possesses the appetite to speak truth to power," Ames said. "Nor will they, unless or until it is witnessed that Donald Trump can no longer influence or dictate the outcomes of Republican primaries, and those in the loyal opposition will continue to tilt at windmills until no action of any form will produce an alternative result. Or until the next item of breaking news is the next shot 'heard round the world.'
"It is time for every Californian offended by the presence of active-duty Marines on LA city streets to recognize that this is only the beginning, and it only gets worse."
What People Are Saying
CALEXIT CEO Dr. Xavier Mitchell, in a statement to Newsweek: "I support Governor Newsom's stance and believe his efforts are in California's best interest. Can California ever act in its own best interest within the confines of a larger political system which takes $80+ billion more from California every year than it receives back, has virtually no say in who resides in the oval office and whose culture, values and way of life are cursed by the same 'fellow Americans' whose roads and bridges are constructed at California's expense?
"In a word, 'no,' at least not within the current constitution of the American political process."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, on X: "I just signed the Election Rigging Response Act to put Proposition 50 up for a vote on November 4th. The people of California will have the power to push back against Texas and any other state that obeys [Donald Trump]'s demand to rig the next election."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on X: "Thanks to the unflappable [state Representative Todd Hunter] for leading the fight on the Texas House floor -- beating back all of the absurd false arguments by the Democrats. His experience in dealing with redistricting litigation will ensure that the BIG BEAUTIFUL MAP will be upheld when it gets to Court."
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "Gavin Newscum is way down in the polls. He is viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California. I will save California!!! President DJT."
What Happens Next
Voters in California will make their decision about the redistricting plan in November.
In Texas, where Trump is urging Texas Republicans to pass their plan "ASAP," lawsuits have already been filed alleging racial discrimination. One complaint asks the court to declare that House Bill 4 violates the Constitution and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and requests the adoption of a new redistricting plan.
