India, Nov. 6 -- The 2026 US midterm elections represent more than a contest for congressional control. They could signal a shift in American domestic politics, with implications for its international partnerships, economic priorities and strategic engagements. As President Donald Trump reshapes US domestic and foreign policy, the possibility of changing congressional control raises questions about the limits of presidential authority and the durability of his political agenda.

However, interpreting the midterms as a straightforward referendum on Trump would overlook deeper structural changes within American politics. A shift in congressional power could strengthen legislative oversight and institutional checks on the executive. A Democr...