Trump's control over Congress begins to loosen, with a major victory for the Democrats in the midterm election battlegrounds

The Democratic Party won the gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday, regaining political momentum. Voter unease over the economic situation during Trump's second term may pave the way for the Democrats to gain control of Congress next year. Abigail Spanberger's easy victory in the Virginia gubernatorial race, along with Mikie Sherrill's win in New Jersey, constitutes the most significant electoral victories for the Democrats since Trump returned to the White House. Polls from the Associated Press in Virginia and New Jersey show that about 60% of respondents feel "angry" or "dissatisfied" with the current state of the country, while only one-third express "enthusiasm" or "satisfaction." CNN polls indicate that more than half of voters intend to send a message to Trump with their ballots.

"Off-year" elections serve as both a referendum and a political barometer, as well as a roadmap for the future. The American public's re-evaluation of Trump's performance in office also concerns the future viability of his policy agenda. As the voting takes place, the U.S. government shutdown has entered its sixth week, setting a record for the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Trump's efforts to cut federal spending have left hundreds of thousands of workers idle and hindered the release of economic data.