Federal judge blocks Alabama redistricting plan in blow to Trump

A federal appeals court blocked a proposed GOP-friendly Alabama congressional map on Tuesday, dealing a temporary setback to Republicans’ redistricting efforts ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Alabama Republicans sought to use a 2023 congressional map following the Supreme Court’s ruling curbing the use of race in the drawing of electoral districts earlier in May. Under that map, Republicans were slated to gain one electoral seat by erasing a Black-majority seat held by Democrats.

However, the three-judge panel said Republicans must use a map that has two majority Black districts where Democrats hold significant advantages. 

"Ultimately, we cannot see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination," the federal judges wrote. "We again cannot understand the 2023 Plan as anything other than intentionally discriminatory."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.