Former President Donald Trump celebrated a Supreme Court decision that struck down Louisiana's congressional map, which had two majority-Black districts, calling it a 'big win' for conservatives. The ruling, decided on Wednesday, declared that lawmakers improperly considered race when drawing the map, violating the Equal Protection Clause.
Democrats and civil rights groups condemned the decision, arguing it undermines a key provision of the Voting Rights Act designed to prevent racial discrimination in voting. Critics say the ruling will make it harder to challenge gerrymandered maps that dilute minority voting power.
The case centered on whether Louisiana's map, enacted in 2022, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. A lower court had previously blocked the map, but the Supreme Court's conservative majority agreed, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the opinion. The decision sends the case back to lower courts for further proceedings.
Trump took to social media to praise the outcome, writing: 'BIG WIN! The Supreme Court just ruled that racial quotas in redistricting are unconstitutional. This is a huge victory for fairness and the rule of law.'
Voting rights advocates warn the ruling could lead to fewer majority-minority districts nationwide, potentially reducing representation for communities of color.