What is the current state of US politics?

The US political landscape is shifting quickly — I'll gather the latest on Washington to give you a clear overview.

As of September 17, 2026, U.S. politics is defined by a Republican federal trifecta under President Donald Trump's second term heading into highly competitive midterm elections, with low presidential and congressional approval, deep polarization, and economic/foreign policy pressures:

1. Federal Control - Narrow Republican Trifecta

Donald Trump is in his second term, having been sworn in January 2025.

Despite having a Republican majority in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, it is a narrow majority. It is expected to be the first time the Republicans will have held a government trifecta — controlling the executive branch and both chambers of the legislative branch — since midway through Trump’s last term in 2019.

The dynamics are expected to be challenging, as in the first Trump administration, Republicans had control of Congress by a much wider majority than the president will see in his second term.

Heading into the 2026 midterms:

This is compounded by a midterm election year where control over Congress hinges on a few key elections.

Key near-term legislative business includes the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (H.R.3633).

Republicans are also heading into 2026 with a redistricting edge after the Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled in favor of Texas lawmakers, part of a nationwide redistricting fight kicked off by President Trump to help maintain Republican control of the House.

2. Trump Approval - Historically Low

President Trump's approval has declined steadily:

On issues in that Quinnipiac poll:

These are the lowest approval ratings ever for Trump's handling of the economy, his job as Commander in Chief, and the Russia - Ukraine war in Quinnipiac polls.

Republican approval has fallen from 45% in March 2025 to 36% in September 2026.

3. The 2026 Midterms - Central Focus

The 2026 midterm general election season is upon us. Republicans held a midterm convention in Dallas Sept. 9-10, 2026, where they know that history is not on their side this election season.

President Trump attended the Republican midterm convention and Pentagon's 9/11 memorial service, gave a lengthy primetime speech saying the choice is “very, very simple” and making the outlandish promise of $5,000 to each American adult and urging voters to cast their ballots as if they were voting for him: “Pretend I’m on the ballot”.

Generic ballot polling as of September 2026 shows Democrats ahead:

The Center Square analysis noted Democrats’ lead has widened by five percentage points since March and that swing voters pose a growing threat: A dismal 19% of Independents chose a Republican candidate, while 39% chose a Democratic candidate.

Analysts note parties in power generally perform poorly during midterm elections, with Trump acknowledging “The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president” but predicting this one will be “something very special”.

4. Top Issues

Economy / Cost of Living / Tariffs:
Prices/inflation as the top three issue for 53% of voters and jobs/economy at 39%, and the economy dominates respondents’ priorities.

Reports attribute price increases to Trump’s higher tariffs on imported goods, his war in Iran, which has led to rising shipping expenses, as well as agricultural labor shortages, and that following Trump’s tariffs on steel and copper, the price of copper and copper products in February 2026 was 25 percent higher compared to the year before, and the price of steel mill products increased by 21 percent.

Republicans are trying to overcome voters’ concerns about the economy and the war in Iran, while analysts warn “If these economic pain points continue or get worse, the worse it's going to be for them for the midterms”.

Tariffs have been a key economic tool for Trump during his second term and his immigration crackdown is seen as compounding the blow from tariffs by threatening to choke off labor market growth.

Foreign Policy:
The State of the Union sought to personalize initiatives after a year where issues of immigration, tariffs, and affordability have become major political issues. Other flashpoints include Iran — where voters are split between keeping forces while negotiating (39%), withdrawing without a deal (30%), or increasing operations (22%) — and trade with Canada and the Russia-Ukraine war, both below 30% approval.

5. Polarization and Trust

Neither the Republican nor Democratic Party is widely seen as having good ideas.

Vast majorities of Democrats and Republicans view the other party as too extreme: 86% of Democrats say the Republican Party is too extreme and 81% of Republicans say the Democratic Party is too extreme. Independents are more likely to say the Republican Party is too extreme than the Democratic Party (47% vs. 35%).

Intraparty tensions also shape the 2026 primary landscape, with primaries serving as indicators of whether Trump retains his grip on Republicans and whether the Democratic Party is shifting left. Trump’s endorsement remains a powerful force in Republican primaries, while among Democrats, 59% of Democrats consider themselves supporters of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Trust in elections has declined: 60% of respondents said they are confident votes will be counted accurately nationwide in the 2026 midterms. Just after the 2024 presidential election, that figure stood at 77%, a 17-point drop.

2. [9/10/26 - Voters Favor Dems Over GOP By 11 Points For Control Of U.S. House,
Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds;
Trump's Handling Of Canada Trade, Iran &
Russia - Ukraine War All Below 30% | Quinnipiac University Poll](https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3965)