The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief Monday supporting Texas’ gerrymandered congressional map, boldly claiming that the much-maligned letter it sent urging state leaders to redistrict was not, in fact, the reason why Texas redrew its map immediately after receiving the letter.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering the Texas case*, after a panel of three federal judges last week blocked the state from using the map in 2026.

The DOJ letter – which instructed Texas to redraw specific congressional districts because of their racial makeup, and threatened swift legal action if it did not comply – played a major role in the majority opinion. The judges concluded it was key evidence of racial gerrymandering.

Now, in its new brief, the DOJ has attempted to argue the court misinterpreted the letter and claimed the state did not redistrict because of it.