California Governor Gavin Newsom on 14 August declared what he called “Liberation Day,” saying the state is prepared to redraw its congressional map in response to what he described as aggressive mid-decade gerrymandering by Republican-led states. At a Sacramento press conference, Newsom said former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott would “have a very bad day,” and called Trump “the most unpopular president in modern history.” The Democrat said a “massive counter-gerrymander” in the nation’s most populous state could neutralize any partisan gains Republicans hope to secure through new maps elsewhere. Newsom’s remarks follow an 11 August letter giving Trump 24 hours to urge red states to stand down. Trump has not responded publicly, and Newsom has yet to release specifics on how California’s plan would bypass or work with the state’s independent citizens redistricting commission.