Trump bashes Missouri court ruling blocking new congressional map

President Donald Trump joined Missouri Republican leaders Thursday in sharply criticizing a state Supreme Court ruling that effectively killed the GOP-drawn congressional map for the November election and put its future in voters’ hands.

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled a referendum petition challenging House Bill 1 was “legal, sufficient, and timely.” Because the petition was filed before the law’s effective date, the court said the new map never legally took effect and cannot do so unless voters approve it.

That means Missouri is set to use its previous congressional districts in November — even though candidates ran in the Aug. 4 primary under the newer boundaries.

Trump called the decision “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional” in a social media post, arguing there is too little time before the election to switch maps.

“Missouri must be able to use the map that was in effect just a couple of months ago, in the Primary,” Trump wrote, calling the ruling a “Dark Day for ‘Justice’ in Missouri.”

Trump did not identify the legal scholars he said supported his criticism.

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said her office will immediately seek relief from the U.S. Supreme Court, calling the decision a “full-fledged constitutional crisis.” She argues changing congressional maps between a primary and general election violates federal law and disenfranchises voters.

Gov. Mike Kehoe also criticized the ruling, saying holding a primary under one map and a general election under another is unprecedented and creates uncertainty.

Kehoe said he remains committed to the Republican-drawn “Missouri First Map” as the legal battle continues.

Republican lawmakers approved the map during a special session in 2025 after Trump pushed GOP-controlled states to pursue mid-decade redistricting. The plan significantly reshaped Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based 5th District and was designed to give Republicans a better opportunity to win a seventh of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats.

Opponents with People Not Politicians submitted more than 300,000 signatures seeking a statewide referendum.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the effort, arguing congressional redistricting could not be challenged through Missouri’s referendum process. A lower court agreed.

The state Supreme Court did not.

The justices ruled Missouri’s constitutional referendum power covering “any act” of the General Assembly includes congressional redistricting.

Unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes, Missouri’s previous congressional map will govern the November election, while the Republican-backed replacement can become law only if voters ultimately approve it.