Sep 16, 2026 · 40 min
Democrats see a path to Congress, but obstacles loom
48 Days Until the Midterms: Is a Blue Wave Coming?
A Democratic takeover could reshape congressional investigations, political standoffs, and the next phase of conflict with President Trump.
- 1Democrats hold a substantial national polling advantage that puts the House and a Senate upset within reach.
- 2Republican money, attacks on Democratic candidates, and volatile issues could blunt Democrats’ electoral momentum.
- 3A Democratic Congress would intensify investigations and confrontations while Trump remains focused on his own priorities.
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Maggie Haberman explains how a Democratic congressional takeover could unleash investigations, subpoenas, pardons, and political standoffs.
The brief
A New York Times roundtable finds Democrats nearly nine points ahead nationally, putting the House within reach and creating a plausible Senate path.
Nate Cohn and Shane Goldmacher map the Senate battlefield, including Texas, where Ken Paxton’s liabilities and James Talarico’s appeal could make an upset possible.
Republicans retain a major financial advantage and plan to portray Democrats as too far left, while immigration, Islamophobia, and AI data centers could reshape campaigns.
Maggie Haberman describes how a Democratic Congress could trigger investigations, subpoenas, pardons, and political standoffs as Trump focuses on personal projects and wealth.
The panel frames the midterms as a possible turning point in American political conflict, then reports Trump’s attack on Supreme Court justices over voting by mail.