Wertheimer Political Report, November 5, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21 NEWS
Two analyses of the historic 2026 congressional elections worth reading:
‘I Have Seen the Enemy, and It Is Us’: Inside Team Trump’s Historic Collapse
The New York Times: How an unpopular president and an unpopular war provided an opening for Democrats to make sweeping gains in the midterms.
There’s No Modern Precedent for This Democratic Tsunami
The New York Times: It was hard to imagine that an electoral wave this big was still possible. But there have been extraordinary changes just beneath the surface.
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
‘Knives out’ for Hegseth, other military leaders after Iran war dooms GOP.
“Though President Donald Trump has continued to support Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Republicans’ electoral drubbing leaves him and other key military leaders vulnerable, officials say.” — The Washington Post
After ProPublica Investigation, House Democrats Demand Answers on U.S. Citizens Detained by Immigration Agents.
“ProPublica found that over 500 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration agents. Forty Democratic lawmakers are now asking the Department of Homeland Security to explain why Americans have been held against their will.” — ProPublica
Alito reaffirms retirement refusal after Democrats win Senate control.
“It appears Trump will have both of his favorite justices on the bench for the rest of his presidency.” — MS NOW
Head of DOJ Civil Rights Division resigns after GOP midterms loss.
“Harmeet Dhillon had overseen a massive overhaul of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, targeting universities and focusing on culture war issues.” — NBC News
Judges to hear Trump’s appeal of 2024 criminal hush money conviction.
“Trump’s attorneys are seeking to get the conviction reversed.” — ABC News
Justice Department moves to toss Steve Bannon’s conviction tied to Congress’ Jan. 6 investigation.
“The DOJ said it was ‘inconsistent’ with the administration’s priorities to seek to affirm the conviction of a former Trump official in connection with Congress’ Jan. 6 investigation.” — NBC News
RFK Jr.’s alliance with Trump is on tenterhooks.
Republican losses threaten the rationale behind the health secretary’s deal with the president. — Politico
What Trump Forgot Before the Wave Crashed Down.
The forces Trump unleashed are now working against him. — Politico
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
Progressives and moderates rejoice: 6 takeaways from the midterms. But some Democrats warn party’s branding issues remain. — Roll Call
Democrats signal oversight blitz as Trump officials lawyer up. — The Hill
‘I’ll be reelected as majority leader,’ Schumer says. Some newcomers had called for fresh blood, but leader projects confidence. — Roll Call
Thune to run for minority leader. South Dakotan aims to stay in GOP leadership despite losing the majority. — Roll Call
House GOP races to lock down new leadership after blue wave. Scalise, Jordan to clash over minority leader post as Johnson bows out. — Roll Call
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
Republicans’ 2028 Presidential Map Just Blew Up. The Democratic wave reached deep into Republican territory, reshaping the map and raising new questions about the GOP’s path to the White House. — Politico
The most consequential Democratic wins this midterms may have been the least-noticed ones. — MS NOW
‘They’re Being Steamrolled’: Why South Carolina Is Sending a Democrat to the Senate. In a preelection interview, Annie Andrews made clear that a Senate victory was in her grasp. — Politico
Meet the Megadonors Pumping $2 Billion Into the 2026 Midterms. An updated Times analysis reveals the outsize role that megadonors like Elon Musk are playing in this election, and where the money is going. — The New York Times
Mississippi Democrat Scott Colom defies odds, pulls further ahead in vote tally. Incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) is fighting to hold on to her seat. — The Washington Post
Democratic socialist Nithya Raman defeats Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayor’s race. NBC News projects the progressive City Council member has unseated Bass, a fixture of California Democratic politics who served one term as mayor. — NBC News
Iowa Democrat who quit race wins seat anyway. — The Hill
Sergey Brin’s big victory in California. The billionaire co-founder of Google effectively built and funded an opposition campaign against a proposed wealth tax. — Politico
Republicans’ redistricting edge largely failed to materialize. — Roll Call
