All articles tagged with #midterms
With the midterms approaching, Trump pursues greater federal involvement in election administration—through DOJ actions, FBI activity, and talk of ‘nationalizing’ elections—sparking Democratic fears of potential subversion, even as Republicans push tighter voting rules and courts block past efforts.
Trump delivered the longest State of the Union, touting a booming economy while attacking Democrats as 'crazy' and framing the midterms as a partisan battleground; the speech leaned on dramatic moments and guest appearances rather than policy details, touched briefly on Iran, and spotlighted fraud accusations while avoiding discussion of his own business entanglements.
A wave of mid-decade redistricting lawsuits is sweeping across nearly a dozen states ahead of the 2026 midterms, with cases in states like Missouri, Florida, Utah and New York and a pivotal Supreme Court dispute (Louisiana v. Callais) that could reshape district lines by challenging or redefining Voting Rights Act Section 2; the fast-moving litigation complicates ballot planning and could trigger rapid redraws depending on court outcomes.
Trump enters this year’s State of the Union in a weaker position, with spent political capital, mounting midterm anxiety among Republicans, and a Supreme Court setback on tariffs. His team’s messaging has shifted from an aggressive, offensive posture to a more defensive pitch centered on affordability and pragmatic policies, as Democrats hope to capitalize on the changed dynamic ahead of 2026 elections.
California Democrats gathered in San Francisco to pledge a national counterstrike against Donald Trump, praising Prop 50’s redistricting as a blueprint for resistance, honoring Pelosi and Newsom, and navigating a crowded governor’s race and internal debates over Silicon Valley’s influence as midterm momentum builds.
AP previews how Trump will use the State of the Union to frame and pitch his policy plans to skeptical midterm voters, outlining likely talking points, policy proposals, and the political posture he’ll strike as he navigates the next election cycle.
Democrats view the Supreme Court’s ruling that Trump’s tariffs were illegal, paired with his renewed push for worldwide tariffs, as a potent midterm messaging opportunity on affordability. They plan to label tariffs as illegal taxes that burden average Americans and to frame Republican support for Trump as worsening costs, while the White House and GOP defend the policy. With inflation and growth showing mixed signals, the tariffs issue is shaping campaign strategy and counterprogramming ahead of the elections.
Two years into RFK Jr.’s tenure as health secretary, the White House is dialing back his anti-vaccine and anti-chemical push in favor of nutrition guidance and drug-pricing deals, while leaning on farm and pharmaceutical interests—illustrated by a glyphosate production order and leadership reshuffles—as it recalibrates ahead of the midterms.
Robert De Niro warns on Nicolle Wallace’s show that Trump would not voluntarily exit after a potential 2028 term, saying it’s up to Americans to remove him and to safeguard elections amid talk of federalizing voting during the midterms.
Make America Healthy Again activists (MAHA) furious over Trump’s executive order to boost glyphosate production, a move seen as siding with pesticide-makers and threatening health-focused momentum ahead of the midterms. Republicans and allies face poll-driven pressure as White House argues the order is about domestic food security and national security, while critics say it prioritizes industry profits. The controversy unfolds amid legal and regulatory complexities around glyphosate and industry settlements, complicating the political landscape for candidates tied to the MAHA agenda.
AP-NORC polling finds about 70% of rank-and-file Democrats view the Democratic Party positively, a level not as high as in the past and not fully recovered since Trump’s 2024 victory. The mood inside the party is subdued even as Democrats notch some wins in special elections, with lingering concerns about the economy and heated debates over policy, including health care where they still hold an edge.
POLITICO’s Playbook surveys a string of abrupt policy reversals by President Trump across immigration, finance, and foreign policy, arguing the chaotic U-turns have undercut White House steadiness and unsettled Republicans even as some economic data glimmers; with 2028 on the horizon, analysts warn public opinion is hardening on cost of living and immigration, complicating the GOP’s path forward.
President Donald Trump suggested he would issue an executive order to impose a nationwide voter ID, require documentary proof of citizenship for registration, and ban mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterms, a move likely blocked by courts and potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. Democrats oppose the measures; the House-passed SAVE America Act would implement similar changes, while a 2025 executive order was blocked by a federal court, underscoring ongoing legal battles over voting rules and the role of states in administration.
Trump’s critique of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show—arguing it was mostly in Spanish and calling it an affront—has alarmed GOP Hispanic strategists who warn it could further erode Latino support ahead of the November midterms. Pew data show Trump’s backing slipping among Latinos who voted for him in 2024, prompting calls for more targeted Latino outreach as Republicans plan district-focused efforts in Latino-heavy areas.
Trump said he would issue an executive order to require voter ID in the midterms if Congress doesn’t act, signaling a push to nationalize election rules. Legal experts say such an order would be unconstitutional or blocked, while the SAVE America Act pushes federal voting changes; Senate passage remains unlikely, and Democrats argue voter-ID laws could disenfranchise voters.