As redistricting battles continue to escalate across the nation, some big names are speaking out to voice their opinions.

Despite supporting independent redistricting, former President Obama endorsed California Democrats' proposal to redraw the state's congressional districts to counter efforts by President Trump and GOP state leaders to push mid-decade partisan gerrymandering.

Former President Barack Obama is in favor of California’s redistricting plan. The former president threw his support behind the effort while the state legislature continues to advance bills to convene a special election in November, when voters would decide whether to implement congressional maps for the next three elections.

Obama reportedly said the California redistricting plan, which is being proposed in response to a Texas redistricting that could add five GOP seats in the U.S. House, would only be used if Texas Republicans follow through with the new congressional map.

A hotel planned by a man linked to former President Barack Obama and located near his presidential center is facing scrutiny from local residents. In March, Allison Davis' company Aquinnah Investment Trust applied to build a 26-story hotel down the road from the under-construction Obama Presidential Center.

Democratic officials from former President Barack Obama to the party’s congressional leaders have united behind California’s bid to draw a map that imperils a half-dozen House GOP incumbents in next year’s midterm elections,