What is the current state of US politics?

Here’s a concise snapshot as of September 12, 2026:

•Who governs

•President: Donald J. Trump (47th); Vice President: JD Vance. Republicans control both chambers of the 119th Congress (2025–2027). House Speaker: Mike Johnson; Senate Majority Leader: John Thune.[1]

•What’s been enacted

•The 2025 reconciliation law (“One Big Beautiful Bill”) extended and expanded 2017 tax cuts and added new provisions (e.g., “no tax on tips”/overtime deductions) and benefit program changes (including first-ever national Medicaid work requirements now being implemented via CMS rulemaking). The Congressional Budget Office estimates the law increases deficits by roughly $2.8–$3.4 trillion over 2025–2034 (depending on scoring method).[2]

•Immigration and border policy

•On June 10, 2026, Trump signed the Secure America Act, a reconciliation measure providing multi‑year funding through FY2029 for CBP/ICE and related enforcement; it’s central to the administration’s agenda.[3]

•The Supreme Court’s term reshaped the landscape

•In its 2025–26 term, the Court:

•Struck down a Trump executive order attempting to limit birthright citizenship.

•Overturned the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor precedent, expanding presidential control over independent agencies.

•Narrowed state gun restrictions (Hawaii carry law).

•Allowed revival of a policy limiting asylum claims to migrants who set foot on U.S. soil; and upheld DHS authority to terminate certain TPS designations while litigation proceeds.

•Required warrants for detailed smartphone location data (geofence).[4]

•2026 midterms (Nov. 3, 2026) and election fights

•Control of Congress is competitive, with heavy spending and volatile races, particularly in the Senate. Simultaneously, courts are refereeing late‑stage disputes over mail voting rules and redistricting maps (e.g., Missouri), creating uncertainty close to Election Day.[5]

•Abortion: state-by-state battleground

•Post‑Dobbs, a patchwork persists (e.g., total bans in multiple states), and abortion rights are on 2026 ballots in places such as Nevada, Virginia and Missouri. Policy trackers show active or proposed constitutional amendments and statutes continuing to reshape access.[6]

•Trade and tariffs

•After courts curtailed tariff powers under emergency statutes, the administration rebuilt its regime: in July 2026 it announced new “forced‑labor” tariffs of 10–12.5% on goods from about 60 trading partners; disputes with Canada and others remain live.[7]

If you want, tell me your state or the policy area you care most about (e.g., health care, immigration, courts), and I can drill down on how it’s playing out locally.

Citations (7)

1usa.govGovernment
Presidents, vice presidents, and first ladies | USAGov
Backs: “House Speaker: Mike Johnson; Senate Majority Leader: John Thune.”
2govdelivery.comCompanies
FS-2025-03: One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax deductions for working Americans and seniors
Backs: “The Congressional Budget Office estimates the law increases deficits by roughly $2.8–$3.4 trillion over 2025–2034 (depending on scoring method).”
3govinfo.govGovernment
Public Law 119 - 98 - Secure America Act - PLAW-119publ98 | Content Details | GovInfo
Backs: “On June 10, 2026, Trump signed the Secure America Act, a reconciliation measure providing multi‑year funding through FY2029 for CBP/ICE and related enforcement; it’s central to the administration’s agenda.”
4washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Major Supreme Court 2025-26 case decisions - Washington Post
Backs: “Required warrants for detailed smartphone location data (geofence).”
5apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
The GOP was confident about keeping its Senate majority. Now the fight for control is wide open
Backs: “Simultaneously, courts are refereeing late‑stage disputes over mail voting rules and redistricting maps (e.g., Missouri), creating uncertainty close to Election Day.”
6guttmacher.orgNot yet classified
State Bans on Abortion Throughout Pregnancy | Guttmacher Institute
Backs: “Policy trackers show active or proposed constitutional amendments and statutes continuing to reshape access.”
7washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Trump imposes double-digit tariffs on dozens of countries as his 10% levies are set to expire Friday - The Washington Post
Backs: “After courts curtailed tariff powers under emergency statutes, the administration rebuilt its regime: in July 2026 it announced new “forced‑labor” tariffs of 10–12.5% on goods from about 60 trading partners; disputes with Canada and others remain live.”