US Supreme Court Blocks Pro-Trump Election Map

On Thursday, the US Supreme Court blocked Missouri from using new congressional district boundaries that favor Republicans in the November election. The decision could make it more difficult for President Donald Trump’s party to maintain its narrow 219–214 majority in the House of Representatives.

The justices granted an emergency motion filed by opponents of the redistricting plan, suspending a ruling by federal Judge Stephen Clark that had authorized its use. It was the second Supreme Court setback for the new map in three days, after Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined to intervene in a separate case on Tuesday. The unsigned ruling offered no explanation, and no justice publicly dissented.

Republicans adopted the map in 2025 as part of a Trump-backed effort to redraw congressional districts in their favor. It eliminated the Kansas City district represented by longtime Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

The dispute arose after the group People Not Politicians collected more than 305,000 signatures calling for a referendum. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition, but the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled that it was lawful, sufficient and timely and that the new map could not take effect unless approved by voters.

Hoskins nevertheless instructed local election officials to use the new boundaries after Clark’s ruling. The Missouri Supreme Court is now considering whether to hold him in contempt.

(Reuters, bak)