The Missouri Supreme Court has scheduled a contempt hearing for Thursday for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, intensifying a legal battle over the state's congressional districts. The conflict escalated Tuesday night after contradictory rulings from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and a federal district judge in St. Louis.

Justice Kavanaugh denied the state's appeal to keep Republican-drawn maps, which would have reinstated previous boundaries favoring Democrats in a Kansas City-area seat. However, a federal district judge quickly ordered Hoskins to maintain the redrawn districts, which were enacted last year at President Trump's request to benefit Republicans. Hoskins, supported by the governor and attorney general, announced he would follow the federal order, citing the supremacy clause.

Opponents immediately appealed to the Eighth Circuit and sought Kavanaugh's intervention. The Missouri Supreme Court had previously invalidated the redrawn map, ordering old lines used pending a referendum. The chaos unfolded on the deadline to finalize November ballots, leaving county clerks uncertain.

The dispute stems from Missouri Republicans' mid-cycle redistricting in September 2023 to target one of two Democratic-held seats, sparking ongoing litigation over legality and judicial authority.