Barack Obama has backed Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s voting map. The former US president said it was a necessary step to stave off Donald Trump’s efforts to redistrict Texas, which would favour Republicans in the state.

Former President Barack Obama has waded into states’ efforts at rare mid-decade redistricting efforts, saying he agrees with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to alter his state’s congressional maps, in the way of Texas redistricting efforts promoted by President Donald Trump aimed at shoring up Republicans’ position in next year’s elections.