That has changed this week, though, with Obama stepping in to defend California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, who has been in a war of words with the current POTUS. Obama has shown his support for the Democrats' move to redraw congressional districts, following a similar move by the Republicans, which was passed on Wednesday.

Under normal circumstances, the former president would not back a Democratic plan for mid-decade redistricting. But these are not normal circumstances.

Republican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.