Feds Rescue Trafficked Children From L.A. While Dems Grumble

What's happening

Feds Rescue Trafficked Children From L.A. While Dems Grumble — California Governor Gavin Newsom has faced criticism following the recent approval of a congressional map that some experts argue is racially motivated. This comes in the wake of a federal court ruling that blocked Texas from implementing a mid-decade revision to its U.S. House map, a decision Newsom hailed as a victory for democracy. However, critics assert that Newsom's own actions contradict his claims of supporting fair elections. Explainer California Overview experts, including Hans von Spakovsky from the Heritage Foundation, have expressed concerns that California's new congressional map was designed to disadvantage Republicans by utilizing race as a factor in redistricting. This follows the passage of Proposition 50, which allows the Democrat-controlled state legislature to redraw congressional districts, effectively dismantling the independent redistricting commission previously in place. The swift push for , backed by significant funding from left-leaning groups, has raised alarms among California Republicans, who have since filed a lawsuit against the new map. Department of Justice has also joined the legal battle, labeling the redistricting effort as a "brazen power grab" that undermines civil rights and the democratic process. The DOJ's lawsuit argues that race should not be used to further political interests, a claim that resonates with critics who believe that the new map disproportionately favors Latino voters while neglecting the interests of other racial groups. During Thanksgiving week, approximately 73 million people are expected to travel, sharing the roads with a concerning number of illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles. Recent arrests of illegal aliens driving trucks, including those holding non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), have raised alarms about safety and compliance with federal regulations.

What's at stake

California has acknowledged issuing 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs to foreign drivers, some of whom may lack basic driving skills or familiarity with U.S. A nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has identified several states, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington, as having licensing practices inconsistent with federal standards. Explainer Illegal Aliens Operating Commercial Vehicles Raise Safety and Licensing Concerns Nationwide One notable case involves Akhror Bozorov, an from Uzbekistan, who was arrested by ICE on November 9 while driving a commercial truck in Kansas. Bozorov is wanted in Uzbekistan for his alleged involvement with a terrorist organization, including distributing propaganda and recruiting for jihad. illegally in February 2023 and was subsequently released by U.S. Border Patrol, a decision attributed to the current administration's immigration policies. An unelected district court judge ruled late Monday night that a Republican-proposed congressional map in Utah — a state that voted for President Donald Trump by nearly 22 points last November — was unconstitutional and instead, the state would have to adopt a map that creates a solid Democrat seat. The decision marks the latest setback in a string of redistricting battles that Republicans appear increasingly unwilling to fight, even as Democrats move full steam ahead with their own partisan redistricting efforts. Explainer New York Court Overturns $454 Million Fine Against Trump Utah District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that the GOP proposal 'unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats.' The state legislature was ordered to draw a new map after the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government sued over the current maps.

Gibson previously ordered the state to draw a new map. The legislature approved a new map that retained the four congressional districts, though it made two of the districts slightly more competitive. But Gibson struck the new map down, instead accepting the plaintiff-drawn map that creates a new, safely Democratic district. Cook Political Report Senior Editor and Elections Analyst Dave Wasserman said the new district is a +24 for Vice President . Matt MacPherson expressed his discontent, announcing on X that he has 'opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against Judge Gibson for gross abuse of power, violating the separation of powers and failing to uphold her oath of office to the Utah Constitution.' Wasserman noted in a separate post that this is a 'huge win' for Democrats, who 'have quietly strung together an impressive streak of victories over the past few weeks that have, surprisingly, pushed the mid-decade redistricting war closer to a draw.' As the 2026 elections approach, the outlook appears to worsen for Republicans, who seem to lack the resolve to counter Democrats’ aggressive redistricting strategies. The New York Times reported that 'Democrats are demonstrating the ability — and the will — to amend blue state constitutions to allow for partisan gerrymandering.' This trend is particularly evident in states like California and Virginia. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Suit: California's Race-Based Gerrymandering Is Unconstitutional. The coverage highlights: Why California's Race-Based House Maps Will Fail. The coverage highlights: How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License. The coverage highlights: Newsom's Ex-Chief Of Staff Indicted For Fraud Scheme. The coverage highlights: Utah Ruling Exposes GOP Retreat On Redistricting Battle. The coverage highlights: California Passes Proposition 50 to Redistrict Congressional Map.

Key facts & context

2025-12-03: Suit: California's Race-Based Gerrymandering Is Unconstitutional. 2025-11-21: Why California's Race-Based House Maps Will Fail. 2025-11-19: How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License. 2025-11-13: Newsom's Ex-Chief Of Staff Indicted For Fraud Scheme. 2025-11-12: Utah Ruling Exposes GOP Retreat On Redistricting Battle. 2025-11-05: California Passes Proposition 50 to Redistrict Congressional Map. 2025-10-31: Five States and D.C. Allocated $1.4 Billion in Federal Medicaid Funds to Undocumented Immigrants. 2025-10-31: Feds Rescue Trafficked Children From L.A. While Dems Grumble. 2025-10-31: Dems Choose Supporting LGBT Activists Over Stopping Child Rape. 2025-10-13: California Law Mandates Inclusion of Trevor Project Hotline on Student IDs.

Timeline & key developments

2025-12-03: Suit: California's Race-Based Gerrymandering Is Unconstitutional. 2025-11-21: Why California's Race-Based House Maps Will Fail. 2025-11-19: How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License. 2025-11-13: Newsom's Ex-Chief Of Staff Indicted For Fraud Scheme. 2025-11-12: Utah Ruling Exposes GOP Retreat On Redistricting Battle. 2025-11-05: California Passes Proposition 50 to Redistrict Congressional Map. 2025-10-31: Five States and D.C. Allocated $1.4 Billion in Federal Medicaid Funds to Undocumented Immigrants. 2025-10-31: Feds Rescue Trafficked Children From L.A. While Dems Grumble. 2025-10-31: Dems Choose Supporting LGBT Activists Over Stopping Child Rape.

Primary sources

• 11 Charged Federal Indictment Alleging Extensive Sex Trafficking Minors And Young — justice.gov
• Da Hochman Announces Charges Statewide Human Trafficking Operation Reclaim And Rebuild — da.lacounty.gov
• BillNavClient — leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Further reading & references

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