Trump lawyer wants to defend Texas maps

Redistricting maps to go before U.S. Supreme Court.

President Donald Trump’s top appellate lawyer has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow him to argue in defense of Texas political maps that were found to be discriminatory by a lower court.

Solicitor General Noel Francisco asked to split time with Texas lawyers when the court hears oral arguments in the case on April 24, saying Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton supports the request.

In the court filing, Francisco said the U.S. Department of Justice believes a three-judge federal court panel erred last year when it ordered state officials to redraw nine Texas House districts and two congressional districts. The panel ruled that the maps — created in 2011 and tweaked in 2013 — were improperly gerrymandered along racial lines or were intended to discriminate against minority voters by diluting minority voting strength.

The Justice Department, which is responsible for enforcing the Voting Rights Act, has a substantial interest in the outcome of the Texas case and in ensuring “the proper interpretation” of the act’s protections against the improper use of race in redistricting, Francisco told the court.

The Justice Department under President Barack Obama originally joined civil rights groups, Democratic politicians and minority voters in challenging the Texas maps as discriminatory. Under Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other Trump appointees, the agency switched to supporting the maps as legal.

The Supreme Court has set aside 30 minutes per side for oral arguments, and Francisco asked to be granted 10 minutes of Texas’ time.

Those challenging the maps have asked arguments to be expanded to 40 minutes per side. If granted, Francisco requested 15 minutes to argue.