HUGH HEWITT: The midterms are one month out — you need to know the stakes

2026 Midterms: What a Democratic Upswing Could Mean for National Security and the Judiciary

Washington, D.C. – As the nation heads into the 2026 midterm elections, political analysts and commentators are turning their attention to a possible “blue wave” that would bring Democrats to a majority in both chambers of Congress and, in some scenarios, secure the presidency. In a recent opinion piece, Fox News contributor Hugh Hewitt outlined a number of ways such a shift could impact national security, defense spending, and the federal judiciary.

A Shift in Congressional Power

The Republican Party currently holds a slim majority in the Senate, while the House of Representatives is evenly split. If Democrats were to win a majority in both bodies, they would gain the power to set the legislative agenda, approve federal budgets, and confirm appointments to federal courts and cabinet positions. However, Hewitt argues that the new alignment would not automatically create a “veto‑proof” Democratic majority.

“Even the most optimistic Democratic gains would still leave the Senate and House divided,” the commentator said. “That kind of split government tends to produce budget standoffs and, in the worst case, government shutdowns.”

National‑Security Funding at Risk

Defense appropriations are a key point of contention. The federal government must pass a multi‑year defense spending bill before the end of the year. Hewitt warned that if the Senate remains under Republican control, it might try to pass a three‑year defense package. “If that cannot be achieved between November 4, 2026, and January 3, 2027, the United States would again face the kind of national‑security shortfalls that occurred during the Sequester years.”

He noted that a Democratic Senate majority could delay or halt the confirmation of new federal judges, “almost no new federal judges or cabinet appointments of any kind will occur,” and that this would “greatly compromise the nation’s national security.”

Judicial Nominations and Senate Procedure

The confirmation process for federal judges and cabinet officials is controlled by the Senate. Hewitt pointed to former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s refusal to move former President Barack Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland forward in 2020 as a precedent. He suggested that if a Democratic majority were to be formed under a new Senate leader—he implied Chuck Schumer—“Schumer would simply roll tape of then‑Senate Majority Leader McConnell announcing ‘no hearings, no votes.’”

According to Hewitt, the Democratic leader could likewise block Supreme Court and other judicial nominations even if the President were to make an appointment. “If Schumer were to refuse to allow votes on a nominee of consequence, his hold on the job of leader would be gone the instant he permitted a floor vote,” the commentator said.

Defense‑Industry and Shipbuilding Concerns

The piece also touched on the defense industrial base. Hewitt argued that a Democratic majority could “unite the anti‑defense doves already in the Democratic caucus,” which might dampen the demand signal for defense contractors. He cited American shipbuilding as one sector that could see reduced investment, “even as China’s Communist Party cheers on the smothering blanket of big‑government regulation of AI/SI descending on its competitors in the United States.”

The Socialist Perspective

The article referenced a platform from the Democratic Socialists of America that calls for the abolition of the Senate and a “pack” of the Supreme Court. Hewitt noted that such radical reforms would require supermajorities or constitutional amendments, a “very long” process that “the Constitution is very strong and doesn’t yield to fits of high revolutionary passion.”

Statements from Political Leaders

Hugh Hewitt cited a statement from Senator Mike Thune, who warned that “Chuck Schumer lives in fear of socialists taking over the Democratic Party.” Thune, a Republican Senate Majority Leader, is one of the voices opposing a shift to a Democratic majority.

The article also referenced former President George W. Bush’s decision to order “the surge” during a Republican‑dominated Congress in 2006, using it as a historical counterpoint to the fears of a Democratic wave.

Public Reaction and Voter Guidance

In closing, Hewitt urged voters to “vote Republican to keep the country defended and the Constitution intact.” He emphasized that the Republican Party is “on firm ground” and that a Democratic wave would “do great damage,” though it would not “overturn the Republic.”

The piece was published by Fox News on a day when the nation is looking ahead to the 2026 election cycle. It is not a report on a specific event but an opinion on the possible consequences of a change in congressional control.

About the Author

Hugh Hewitt is a long‑time radio host and author. He has worked for multiple major media outlets, including Fox News and CBS, and has taught constitutional law at Chapman University. The article appears in the “Opinion” section of Fox News and reflects his perspective rather than a neutral journalistic account.