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The US Justice Department have entered the fray in a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to halt the state's newly approved congressional redistricting map.

This legal action, submitted to federal court, challenges the redistricting plan championed by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in reaction against a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.

"The state's electoral map represents a blatant attempt to seize control that violates civil rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the US attorney general.

The Democratic party have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will withstand court challenges.

"These opponents were defeated in the election and they are likely to also lose in court," commented a representative for the governor.

Constitutional Challenge

The legal challenge claims that California's map wrongfully utilized race as a factor to heavily favor Latino communities in violation of the US Constitution.

"Race cannot be used as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is exactly what the California General Assembly did with the redistricting measure," argued a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.

Broader Implications

The legal battle constitutes the most significant counterpunch by Democrats in the ongoing political battle that began in Texas and has spread across multiple states.

In contrast to elsewhere, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan needed public consent, which it obtained with approximately two-thirds of the vote.

Wider Consequences

The Democratic party need to flip just a small number of GOP-controlled House seats to take control of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.

The party that holds the controlling share will shape the final years of the sitting president's term, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will persist in implementing its political program or encounter opposition, congressional probes and potential further challenges.

• Legal representation for the challengers is being handled by a prominent law firm
• The managing partner currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
• Nevertheless, this attorney has been removed from this particular case