U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate commencement of a new census that excludes individuals living in the country without legal status. This initiative aims to produce a more precise population count using data collected after the 2024 presidential election. The new census is expected to impact the distribution of congressional seats, federal funding, and electoral votes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The move has sparked legal and redistricting debates, particularly as states rush to redraw congressional maps. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated that the state has grounds for additional redistricting, citing a shift from 300,000 more registered Democrats to 1.3 million more registered Republicans. DeSantis is collaborating with the Commerce Department to secure an extra House seat for Florida and address what he describes as ongoing racial gerrymandering. Both Trump and DeSantis emphasize that only U.S. citizens should be counted for apportionment purposes, challenging previous census counts that included undocumented immigrants. This development could significantly influence the balance of power in Congress ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.