Fact Check: Texas congressional maps have unconstitutional racial gerrymanders in four districts.

Fact Check: Texas Congressional Maps Have Unconstitutional Racial Gerrymanders in Four Districts

What We Know

Recent developments have brought attention to the congressional maps in Texas, with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) asserting that four districts are unconstitutionally racially gerrymandered. In a letter dated July 7, 2025, Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general in the civil rights division, identified Texas’s 9th, 18th, 29th, and 33rd districts as having been drawn along racial lines, which violates constitutional standards (source-1). These districts predominantly serve minority populations in the Dallas and Houston areas and are currently represented by Democrats (source-2).

Governor Greg Abbott has responded to these concerns by calling for a special session of the Texas legislature to redraw these maps, citing the DOJ's findings as a justification for this action (source-3). The timing of this redistricting effort has been criticized by Democrats, who argue it is a politically motivated attempt to gain more Republican seats ahead of the 2026 elections (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Texas's congressional maps contain unconstitutional racial gerrymanders is supported by the DOJ's recent findings. The DOJ's letter explicitly states that the identified districts are remnants of past racial gerrymandering and must be corrected. This assertion is backed by legal precedents that prohibit the dilution of minority voting power through districting practices (source-4).

Critics of the redistricting effort, including legal experts and representatives from minority advocacy groups, have expressed skepticism about the motivations behind Abbott's call for redistricting. They argue that the state previously maintained that its maps were drawn without regard to race, making the sudden acknowledgment of racial concerns appear politically opportunistic (source-2). Furthermore, historical context shows that Texas has faced legal challenges regarding its congressional maps every decade since the Voting Rights Act was enacted, indicating a pattern of racial discrimination in districting (source-5).

The reliability of the DOJ as a source is high, given its role in enforcing civil rights laws. However, the political implications of the redistricting process raise questions about the motivations of state officials. The potential for partisan advantage in redistricting efforts, especially in a state as politically divided as Texas, complicates the narrative surrounding these maps (source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that Texas congressional maps have unconstitutional racial gerrymanders in four districts is True. The DOJ's findings provide a solid legal foundation for this assertion, and the historical context of Texas's districting practices supports the notion of racial discrimination in its congressional maps. While the motivations behind the redistricting effort may be politically charged, the constitutional concerns raised are legitimate and warrant immediate attention.

Fact Check: Texas congressional maps have unconstitutional racial gerrymanders in four districts.