Missouri Supreme Court blocks redrawn map, Trump says it’s ‘horrible’

Missouri Supreme Court blocks redrawn map, Trump notes it's 'horrible'.

Key points

• SC Democratic Chair Christale Spain notes Gavin Newsom and Cory Booker are creating early buzz by showing up and connecting with voters.
• While Democrats secured an edge in six districts, overall, Republicans improved their chances in 16 districts, including Cleaver's seat in Missouri.
• The court additionally ordered the November elections to take place with the maps drawn in 2022.
• The state Supreme Court's ruling reversed a circuit court decision that ruled for Hoskins and ordered the referendum onto the November ballot.
• USA TODAY has reached out to Hoskins for comment and to clarify if the state will rerun primaries under the 2022 maps.

Missouri Supreme Court blocks redrawn map, Trump notes it's 'horrible'. James Powel USA TODAY. How progressives can actually win South Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Supreme Court on Sept. 3 blocked the employ of a Republican-drawn map in November's midterm elections, ordering approval of the maps to go to voters and provoking the ire of President Donald Trump.

Missouri was one of the states that redrew its maps as part of Trump's redistricting campaign to ensure Republican victory in November. HB1, the bill that set the redrawn maps, was signed by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe on Sept. 28, 2025.

Anti-gerrymandering group Individuals not Politicians submitted a referendum petition to force Missouri's redrawn map onto the November ballot which, despite having more than the required number of signatures, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refused to certify, claiming the petition was unconstitutional.

For context, the state Supreme Court's ruling reversed a circuit court decision that ruled for Hoskins and ordered the referendum onto the November ballot. "The referendum petition was legal, sufficient and timely, and the secretary incorrectly concluded otherwise, " the unanimous opinion written by Judge Ginger Gooch reads.

Notably, the court additionally ordered the November elections to take place with the maps drawn in 2022.

"HB1 did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless and until approved by the voters, " the opinion reads.

For context, the redrawn maps would have probable handed Republicans a seat in the U.S. House after the Kansas City district at present held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver was dismantled. The state's Aug. 4 House primaries took place using the redrawn maps.

USA TODAY has reached out to Hoskins for comment and to clarify if the state will rerun primaries under the 2022 maps. Texas kicked off redistricting war, it could decide his political fate. Trump reacts to Missouri Supreme Court ruling.

Trump called the ruling "horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional" in a social media post Sept. 3 that pressed the state to apply the struck-down maps. "The Election Process, as usual, is being disturbed in America!" Trump wrote.

Kehoe remarked in a social media post that he was "extremely disappointed" in the ruling and blamed "unelected judges" for a "lack of respect for the legislative process."

"Holding a primary election under one congressional map and a general election under another is unprecedented and creates uncertainty for Missouri voters, " Kehoe wrote.

For context, the governor remarked he would stand behind the maps as "the legal process moves forward."

Eric Holder, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, remarked in an official note that the Missouri Supreme Court ruling should be where the legal wrangling over the maps end.

"The state's Supreme Court, interpreting Missouri law, has ruled unanimously, " the former U.S. Attorney General remarked. "This is not a matter in which the federal Supreme Court should be involved." Individuals Not Politicians celebrated the ruling after it was issued.

"This is what democracy looks like, the individuals of Missouri demanded a voice, and the court just confirmed what we've been saying all along. Individuals, not politicians, will have the final say, " Richard von Glahn, the group's executive director in Missouri, stated in an official note.

While both Republican- and Democratic-controlled states drew new maps, Republicans eventually emerged as the winners after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling permitted a number of conservative Southern states to eliminate districts with significant Black populations.

While Democrats secured an edge in six districts, overall, Republicans improved their chances in 16 districts, including Cleaver's seat in Missouri. Republicans hold a narrow 219-214 majority in the U.S. House, including one independent who caucuses with Republicans. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, missouri Supreme Court blocks redrawn map, Trump says its horrible remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.