16 days until midterms, Trump rallies GOP as Johnson predicts Republicans will hold House
President Donald Trump is intensifying his campaign push for Republican candidates as Democrats target the president and House Speaker Mike Johnson works to defend the GOP’s narrow majority.
Democrats turn Trump attacks into central midterm strategy
Democrats are making President Donald Trump a central issue in the final stretch of the midterm campaign, with candidates arguing that Republican control of Congress has contributed to higher costs and instability overseas.
The strategy was on display in Georgia, where Sen. Jon Ossoff mocked Trump’s recent rally and criticized the president’s handling of the economy and Iran conflict.
Trump has responded by targeting Ossoff and other Democratic candidates personally while campaigning for Republicans in competitive races.
The clash reflects the broader national battle over whether the midterms will serve as a referendum on Trump’s presidency or on the Democratic opposition’s agenda.
Democrat El-Sayed admits sister-in-law's reported terror watchlist history ahead of Obama visit
Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed acknowledged Saturday that his sister-in-law was involved in federal terrorist watchlist litigation during the Obama administration, days before former President Barack Obama is scheduled to campaign alongside him.
Fox News senior correspondent Mike Tobin asked El-Sayed pointedly about a 2016 lawsuit identifying Mariam Jukaku as a plaintiff challenging her reported placement on the Terrorism Screening Database.
"Yeah," El-Sayed responded.
"Basically, it's exactly the point. She did nothing wrong and was captured on that and then sued and got off," El-Sayed said, blaming Republican rival Mike Rogers.
Court filings allege Jukaku underwent extensive airport screening in 2012 and was believed to have been removed from the watchlist by 2016. The FBI declined to confirm or deny her status to Fox News in a statement.
The exchange followed Rogers' accusations about El-Sayed's alleged family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Democrat denies.
Fox News' Mike Tobin and Patrick McGovern contributed to this reporting.
Johnson predicts GOP will hold House despite Democratic momentum
House Speaker Mike Johnson believes Republicans will retain their narrow majority after the Nov. 3 elections, even as Democrats seek to capitalize on voter frustration and growing concerns about the GOP’s control of Congress.
Johnson said he sees large crowds and strong candidates on the campaign trail, comparing the current political mood to the 2024 election that gave Republicans control of Washington.
“It’s not going to be a giant majority,” Johnson said. “But I genuinely believe that we will have a working majority.”
Johnson is campaigning across the country to defend Republican seats, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is preparing a first-100-days agenda if Democrats take back the chamber.
Trump makes midterms a referendum on his second-term agenda
President Donald Trump used a Saturday rally in Kentucky to urge voters to preserve Republican control of Congress, telling supporters to view the midterm elections as a referendum on his second-term agenda.
Trump warned that Democrats would seek to undo his policies if they win control of the House or Senate, while promoting Republican candidates including Senate hopeful Andy Barr and House candidate Ed Gallrein.
The president also announced plans for a proposed $100 million federal investment in a Kentucky pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, tying the project to a Republican victory in November.
Trump’s Kentucky appearance came as Republicans face voter concerns about inflation, gas prices and the war with Iran less than three weeks before Election Day.
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