US Prepares for Midterms Amid Executive Power Expansion

The United States is preparing for the 2026 midterm elections to determine the composition of the 120th Congress. Political figures and organizations, including the NAACP and Vice President JD Vance, have characterized these contests as the most important in history. Key issues include the impact of dark money, gerrymandering, and potential legislative action on healthcare, housing, and climate change.

Donald Trump has increasingly expanded executive power, utilizing executive orders and tariffs to bypass traditional lawmaking. This shift has left the United States Congress in a state of dysfunction, with the legislative branch ceding authority to the presidency. Analysts suggest that regardless of the outcome, the new Congress may remain ineffectual; Democrats are expected to prioritize investigations, while Republicans are likely to continue deferring to the president.

Concerns are mounting regarding Trump's potential actions as a lame-duck president before the new Congress is sworn in. These include aggressive deportation policies and the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran, potentially coordinated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Military planners have also examined options involving Cuba and potential territorial concessions in a settlement for Ukraine.