Speaking to reporters after his campaign launch, Newsom batted away criticism, saying Trump had struck first by saying he was "entitled" to a GOP congressional majority. The governor had earlier this week asked Trump to block Texas and other red state from moving forward with their own redistricting efforts.

As Texas hurtles toward a flashpoint on a GOP effort to redraw congressional districts, California Democrats are answering with a plan of their own.

California Governor Gavin Newsom led a campaign-style rally on Thursday for a redistricting plan to foil what he called President Donald Trump's bid to rig the next congressional race and cement his Republican House majority by redrawing the political map of Texas.