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House Dems’ campaign chair says her party’s ‘on offense’ in 2026 battle to win back majority from GOP
With the early moves heating up in the 2026 battle for the House majority, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) chair argues President Donald Trump and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate are «doing incredible damage to working families and to our country.»
And with the GOP defending a razor-thin majority in the House in next year’s midterm elections, Rep. Suzan DelBene, the DCCC chair, noted, «We only need three more seats.»
«We have 35 districts in play across the country where we have opportunities,» DelBene said in a Fox News Digital interview last week in the nation’s capital, pointing to the Republican-held seats the DCCC is targeting.
«We are on offense. We are fighting for the American people and for the important issues they care about, and Democrats are united in doing that.»
HOUSE DEMOCRATS PREDICT REPUBLICANS WILL PAY PRICE FOR PASSING TRUMP’S ‘BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at a news conference with other members of House Republican leadership in Washington, D.C., May 6, 2025. The GOP is defending its razor-thin House majority in the 2026 midterm elections. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While the party in power after a presidential election — currently the GOP — typically faces political headwinds and loses House seats in the following midterms, the 2026 map appears to favor Republicans.
«The battlefield is really laying out to our advantage. There are 14 Democrats who won seats also carried by Donald Trump. There are only three Republicans in seats that were carried by [former Vice President] Kamala Harris. So, that tells me we’re going to be on offense,» Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) chair, told Fox News Digital at the start of the 2026 cycle.
WHAT THE HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR TOLD FOX NEWS ABOUT TRUMP’S ROLE IN THE MIDTERMS
DelBene countered that «the reason we have opportunities is because people are outraged, because they do want to see someone come into office who is going to fight for their communities and not just be blindly loyal to a president.»
And pointing to the small bite House Democrats took out of the GOP’s majority in the 2024 elections, she added that «those are the types of candidates that won in our districts last cycle. It’s a reason we actually gained seats in 2024 and is absolutely the reason why we’re going to take back the majority in 2026.»
But Hudson noted he has a powerful ally as he works to keep control of the House.
«The president understands that he’s got to keep the House majority in the midterm so that he has a four-year runway instead of a two-year runway to get his agenda enacted,» Hudson said. «He’s been extremely helpful to us, and we appreciate it.»
And the Democrats are facing a polling dilemma because the party’s ratings have been sinking to historic lows in a number of national surveys so far this year.
The Democrats’ ratings in a Fox News poll stood at 41% favorable and 56% unfavorable in a survey conducted April 18-21.
HEAD HERE TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLS
That’s an all-time low for the Democrats in Fox News polling. And for the first time in a decade, the party’s standing was lower than that of the GOP, which stood at 44% favorable and 54% unfavorable.
The figures were reversed last summer, when Fox News last asked the party favorability question in one of its surveys.
But there is a silver lining for the Democrats.
The Fox News poll indicated that if the 2026 midterm elections were held today, 49% of voters would back a generic Democrat in their congressional district, with 42% supporting the generic Republican candidate.
The Democrats also have another problem — the possibility of primary challenges against longtime and older House lawmakers in safe blue districts.
Recently elected Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg last month pledged to spend millions of dollars through his outside political group to support primary challenges against what he termed «asleep at the wheel» House Democrats who he argued have not been effective in pushing back against Trump.
The move by the 25-year-old Hogg, a survivor of the shooting seven years ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, to spend money against fellow Democrats ignited a firestorm within the party.
Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg, seen here Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago, is pledging to support primary challenges against older House Democrats in blue districts. (Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
In response, DelBene said, «Democrats across the country are united in taking back the House.»
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Asked by Fox News if the move by Hogg would force the DCCC and allied super PACs to divert money and resources from competitive districts in order to defend incumbents in safe blue districts from primary challenges, DelBene responded, «I think everyone knows how important it is that we take back the House, and folks are focused in helping make sure that we do that in districts all across the country.»
But the dispute is giving the GOP ammunition.
In response to the intra-Democratic Party feud, NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella argued, «No Democrat is safe. A political earthquake is underway, and the old guard is scrambling.»
Politics,Elections,2025 Elections Coverage,House of Representatives Elections,House Of Representatives,Donald Trump,House of Representatives Democrats
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Concerns rise over DHS shutdown in shadow of Iran strikes: ‘Now would be a good time’ to end it
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The partial government shutdown has Department of Homeland Security employees missing their paychecks even as the U.S. has engaged Iran with airstrikes that have brought the nation to the brink of war.
Earlier Saturday, the U.S. and Israel commenced targeted Iranian positions including the palace of dictator Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei – who was later declared dead by Jerusalem officials. The strikes have prompted concerns of retaliation, possibly inside U.S. borders.
«I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as we continue to closely monitor and thwart any potential threats to the homeland,» DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
As Friday rolled into Saturday, Transportation Safety Administration officers began effectively working pro bono, with the agency calling them «true models of selflessness and sacrifice.»
«Right now, the men and women of TSA are showing up to work without a paycheck due to the reckless DHS shutdown — despite the fact that Democrat members of Congress are still getting paid,» the agency said in a statement, calling out Democrats’ «political theater making life harder for these officers and their families.»
Lawmakers took notice of the disparity on Saturday as eyes turned to the security of America’s homeland amid Iran’s pledge to strike back.
«Given developments in the Middle East and the ongoing threat posed by Iran and its terrorist proxies, Democrats in the house, and Senate must cease the politics and must immediately fund the Department of Homeland Security,» said Rep. Daniel Meuser, R-Pa.
The Blue Mountain congressman – whose district is home to the agency’s latest immigration center purchase in Shartlesville, which is simultaneously being lambasted by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro – added that blocking DHS funding is «irresponsible and dangerous» amid the rising global tension.
«Democrats in Congress must join Republicans, act responsibly and stop blocking efforts to fund DHS,» said Meuser.
Meuser added that protecting American people is a fundamental federal responsibility and that the U.S. cannot afford national security-related delays.
DHS SHUTDOWN TRIGGERS TSA ‘EMERGENCY MEASURES’ AS LAWMAKER WARNS AIRPORTS COULD FEEL ECONOMIC PAIN
His Keystone compatriot Sen. David McCormick echoed that sentiment in a Saturday statement:
«Now would be a good time for Democrats to drop their opposition to DHS funding and pass the bill to support our homeland security,» McCormick said.
«Continuing to play political games with our national security given the unfolding situation in the Middle East is dangerous.»
While many Democrats voiced concern or opposition to the Trump administration’s strikes, McCormick’s counterpart, Sen. John Fetterman, ridiculed critics on X – retweeting an alert that Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei had been killed, writing: «Let’s see who grieves for that garbage.»
The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, however, did criticize the operation.
Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi told NOTUS News on Saturday that Trump’s attack lacks «a clear strategy» while saying the U.S. is «vulnerable to ensuing terrorism attacks today because of Trump’s reckless, inflammatory actions.»
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Iranian worshippers hold up their hands as signs of unity with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during an anti-Israeli rally to condemn Israel’s attacks on Iran, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 20, 2025. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
«I am deeply concerned about the administration’s attention to possible threats and its ability to protect Americans,» he added.
Just prior to the strikes, the Senate and House Democratic leaders released a joint statement addressing the DHS shutdown’s current conditions.
«We have received the White House’s counteroffer and are reviewing it closely. Democrats remain committed to keep fighting for real reforms to rein in ICE and stop the violence,» said New York Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for additional comment.
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war with iran,iran,donald trump,immigration,homeland security,republicans
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In coordinated, sweeping U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran in the predawn hours of Saturday, key military and nuclear-linked sites were targeted inside the country.
The strikes focused on what U.S. officials described as high-value Iranian targets, which included Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities, naval assets and underground sites believed to be associated with Iran’s nuclear program.
In addition, Iranian air defense weapons, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields were also targeted, according to officials.
Israeli forces targeted sites linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a senior Israeli official confirmed to Fox News.
President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday afternoon that Khamenei had been killed in a strike. He is among more than 40 senior Iranian security and regime figures killed in the attack, a senior Israeli official told Fox News.
In coordinated, sweeping U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran in the predawn hours of Saturday, key military and nuclear-linked sites were targeted inside the country. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,» Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. «This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.»
He also claimed that the IRGC is seeking immunity from the U.S.
The leaders had all been meeting at a compound in Tehran on Saturday morning.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, President Donald Trump confirmed. (Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images)
FBI RAISES COUNTERTERROR TEAMS TO HIGH ALERT AMID IRAN TENSIONS
The strikes were moved up due to the «target of opportunity,» multiple sources told Fox News, which is why the strikes happened in the daytime in Iran, keeping the element of surprise. «There was a deliberate decision to accelerate the timeline,» one source said.
The campaign, which Trump described overnight from Mar-a-Lago as the beginning of «major combat operations» in the region, encompasses multi-geographic targets in an effort to overwhelm Iran’s defensive capabilities.
People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran on Saturday. (AP Photo)
ISRAEL’S LARGEST EVER MILITARY FLYOVER HAMMERS IRANIAN MILITARY TARGETS
The strikes could also continue for multiple days.
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Trump said the campaign aimed to devastate Iran’s military, dismantle its nuclear program, and he urged the Iranian people to «take over» their government.
Tomahawk cruise missiles were used in the first strikes of the operation, called Operation Epic Fury, along with one-way attack drones that were used for the first time, according to a U.S. official.
Fox News’ Liz Friden, Morgan Phillips, Amanda Macias, Alexandra Koch and Kelley Kramer contributed to this report.
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war with iran,iran,world,israel,military
INTERNACIONAL
Tras el ataque a Irán, tambalea la Revolución Islámica y Trump apuesta a una rebelión interna
El ataque conjunto de Estados Unidos e Israel contra Irán, que provocó la muerte del ayatolá Ali Jamenei, dejó a la Revolución Islámica frente a un riesgo de colapso inminente, pero al mismo tiempo abrió una fuerte incertidumbre sobre el futuro de un país jaqueado por un frente interno en ebullición y una oposición dividida.
Donald Trump dejó en claro que el objetivo es un “cambio de régimen”, pero el Pentágono es consciente de que no bastará usar la fuerza militar para derrocar al gobierno de los ayatolás.
Leé también: Trump confirmó que el líder supremo de Irán murió en los ataques coordinados de Israel y EE.UU.
El llamado del presidente estadounidense a la población iraní para que tomen el control del gobierno dejó en evidencia que Washington apuesta a una rebelión interna bajo el impulso de la debilidad del poder religioso-militar y las protestas de los últimos dos meses que dejaron miles de muertos.
Pero hay dos hechos palpables: 1) el discurso de Trump no llega a la población iraní por el cierre de internet y telefonía a nivel nacional y 2) no hay a simple vista una Delcy Rodríguez local que pueda asumir un gobierno tutelado como el que emergió en la Venezuela chavista tras el ataque del 3 de enero.
De lo contrario, si el gobierno teocrático no sobrevive, el riesgo de caos es total, con el peligro latente de una desintegración nacional como la que ocurrió en Irak, Libia y Siria y con graves consecuencias geopolíticas. En Washington no olvidan que la crisis siria e iraquí llevó a la irrupción del Estado Islámico (ISIS).
El rol de Reza Pahlavi, el heredero del sha
El “príncipe” Reza Pahlavi, heredero del fallecido sha de Irán Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, derrocado en 1979 por la Revolución Islámica, no tiene hoy ningún tipo de influencia real en la sociedad iraní.
Desde hace meses busca posicionarse como el hombre indicado para una eventual transición en su país, aunque sus detractores minimizan su llegada en el Irán profundo y hasta destacan que no maneja bien el farsi.
Un exiliado iraní porta un cartel con la imagen de Reza Pahlavi en Londres (Foto: REUTERS/Toby Melville)
Sus videos y mensajes subidos a sus redes sociales de las últimas semanas, en los que llama a redoblar las protestas contra la Revolución Islámica que derrocó a su padre, no lograron posicionarlo como un líder visible en el país. Su apoyo está basado en el exilio.
Reza Pavhlavi “no tiene una red organizada sobre el terreno y sigue siendo una figura divisiva” en la sociedad iraní, dijo en una entrevista reciente con TN el analista Ali Vaez, encargado de temas iraníes del Crisis Group, una ONG especializada en la resolución de conflictos.
Leé también: El Gobierno refuerza la seguridad en la Embajada de Israel y activa el protocolo de alerta en las fronteras
Lo mismo sucede con la oposición iraní. No solo se encuentra muy dividida, sino que además sus referentes están fuera del país.
“Ningún grupo de oposición externo tiene una base amplia de apoyo” en el territorio, indicó.
Las protestas que sacudieron Irán desde fines de diciembre no tuvieron “cabezas” visibles. Incluso comenzaron como un reclamo económico ante la difícil situación del país cuando un grupo de comerciantes salió a las calles a manifestar su descontento por la elevada inflación.
La protesta ganó adeptos y el país pronto se incendió bajo una marea de manifestantes descontentos con el gobierno. Pero no hubo líderes ni rostros que arrastraran multitudes, bajo un esquema de represión sistemática.
¿Hay una Delcy Rodríguez iraní?
A menos que Trump sorprenda con una jugada como la que emergió en la Venezuela chavista tras la captura de Nicolás Maduro, en Irán no se observa una Delcy Rodríguez que pueda conducir una transición.
“En el sistema político iraní la máxima autoridad proviene del líder supremo (Ali Jamenei). La máxima autoridad ejerce poder real, y viene institucionalmente respaldada por la guardia revolucionaria, una guardia pretoriana ideológica y económicamente (pragmáticamente) interesada en la supervivencia del régimen. Si bien uno puede conjeturar que algún militar de las guardias revolucionarias podría tomar las riendas del país o intentar hacerlo, en el caso iraní sería mucho más difícil armonizar la ideología del régimen con un esquema de cooperación (o sumisión) con Estados Unidos. Hay muchísima incertidumbre”, dijo a TN el analista Federico Gaón, especializado en Medio Oriente.
Analistas consultados por TN coincidieron en señalar que a Estados Unidos no le conviene un colapso total de la Revolución Islámica, sino el surgimiento de un “núcleo progresista” y moderado, ya sea militar o político de la actual estructura de poder islámica, que tome el lugar de los ultraconservadores comandados por el líder supremo.
Pero hoy el progresismo está representado por el presidente Masoud Pezeshkian, uno de los objetivos de los ataques de este sábado. Buscar una alternativa militar es el premio mayor para Washington.
Es un escenario muy endeble y peligroso. Cualquier tropiezo en este juego de ajedrez geopolítico y militar podría derivar en un terreno hostil que ponga al país al borde de una guerra civil y a la región en un conflicto abierto que sacuda al mundo entero.
Irán, Israel, Donald Trump
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