Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, DC. — Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for ensuring the people’s freedom of choice and participation in determining Bangladesh’s future. She urged the United States to support free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, press freedom, and the protection of political rights in Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest at a press conference organized by the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on October 19, Sheikh Hasina said the United States did not need to take sides in Bangladesh’s domestic politics. Instead, she said, Washington should support the principle that the people of Bangladesh must be able to choose their government through a free and inclusive political process.

“I am not asking the United States to choose Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League. I am asking the United States to choose democracy,” she said. Bangladesh, she added, should be assessed on the basis of free and fair elections, constitutional governance, due process of law, freedom of expression, political pluralism, and equality before the law.

She said political differences were a normal part of democracy and stressed the importance of government accountability. However, she argued that dissent should not be used as a pretext to exclude any political party from the political process or disregard the rights of millions of citizens.

Sheikh Hasina said Awami League supporters were citizens of Bangladesh and should not be excluded from political participation. At the same time, she called for respecting the rights of opponents of her government. In her view, Bangladesh’s future should be built on compromise and reconciliation rather than revenge.

She also addressed questions surrounding her government’s role, the events of 2024, and the subsequent situation in Bangladesh. She said she was prepared to answer these questions. According to her, allegations against any individual, including herself, should be resolved through transparent, credible, and impartial legal proceedings rather than political declarations or statements.

She emphasized the need to protect people affected by violence and their families, ensure the rights of those detained unlawfully, and guarantee accused individuals a fair opportunity to defend themselves. She said justice could not be established without due process and lasting peace could not be secured without justice.

Calling for broader Bangladesh-US relations, Sheikh Hasina highlighted economic cooperation, American investment, partnerships in education and technology, security cooperation, and stronger people-to-people connections between the two countries.

She said Bangladesh should move forward as a sovereign nation capable of maintaining constructive relations with the United States, India, China, Japan, and Europe. She also expressed the hope that Bangladesh would serve as a bridge between different regions rather than become an arena for rivalry among major powers.

According to Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s strategic location along the Bay of Bengal and within the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the connection between the US market and the livelihoods of millions of Bangladeshis, make stability and prosperity a shared interest for both countries. She added that bilateral relations should be built on long-term national interests rather than depend on any particular individual or government.

Referring to the development initiatives undertaken by her government, Sheikh Hasina cited economic growth, infrastructure development, expanded electricity access, digital connectivity, poverty reduction, and Bangladesh’s changing position on the international stage. She argued that development should not be used as a justification for restricting democracy, just as development should not be obstructed in the name of democracy. Bangladesh, she said, needs both democracy and development, freedom and security, and justice and reconciliation.

Sheikh Hasina outlined her vision of a Bangladesh where political opponents engage in dialogue instead of conflict, election results are determined by voters, journalists can report without fear, and young people can express their opinions freely.

She also said economic opportunities should be based on merit rather than political affiliation, and every citizen should have the opportunity to participate in shaping the country’s future.

She called on the United States to support free elections, independent courts, press freedom, the right to political association, minority protection, due process of law, economic openness, and peaceful political competition.

Highlighting the Bangladesh-American community as an important bridge between the two countries, she said people of Bangladeshi origin contribute to American society as entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, workers, and community leaders. According to Sheikh Hasina, the friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and the United States should endure beyond individual governments, political parties, and differences of opinion.

The press conference was moderated by Rana Hasan Mahmud, Executive Director of the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, an adviser to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, attended the event as a special guest.

MUMBAI, India — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during a reception marking the 250th anniversary of American independence in Mumbai. The event, titled the Freedom 250 Reception, also featured remarks by U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. The speakers emphasized economic cooperation, technological innovation, maritime security and the strategic importance of U.S.-India relations.

Ambassador Gor said bilateral trade had exceeded $240 billion and outlined an ambitious goal of increasing it to more than $500 billion within the next three years. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, defense and advanced artificial intelligence. Gor also noted the significant presence of American companies in Mumbai and the role of U.S. institutional investors in Indian equity markets.

Rubio described the U.S.-India relationship as increasingly important to the future of the 21st century. He stressed the need for both countries to harness advances in artificial intelligence and quantum computing for public benefit while mitigating potential harms. Rubio also emphasized the importance of open maritime routes and a free and secure Indo-Pacific, arguing that international shipping lanes should not be dominated or controlled by any single nation. Acknowledging that the two countries would not agree on every issue, Rubio said their alignment on core national interests presented an opportunity to shape the future together.

Jaishankar highlighted Mumbai’s historical and contemporary role in India’s commercial, financial and technological links with the United States. He pointed to cooperation in infrastructure, education, agriculture and technology, as well as newer initiatives and frameworks, including the Quad, Mission 500, Pax Silica and the FORGE Initiative. Jaishankar also welcomed the U.S. administration’s decision to extradite Tahawwur Hussain Rana, whom he described as one of the key culprits in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. He called for zero tolerance toward terrorism and emphasized the right to defend against it.

Concluding his remarks, Jaishankar said expanding areas of common interest in trade, investment, technology and energy would be essential to deepening bilateral relations. Both sides expressed their commitment to advancing the strategic partnership as the United States prepares to mark 250 years of independence in 2026.

MUMBAI — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington and New Delhi were close to finalizing a trade agreement, expressing optimism that the deal could be concluded soon as the two countries seek to strengthen economic, energy and strategic cooperation.

“We’re about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement,” Rubio told reporters in Mumbai. He said only a small number of issues remained to be resolved and expressed hope that an announcement could come shortly, followed by the signing of the agreement.

Rubio described India as an important commercial and strategic partner of the United States, highlighting its position as the world’s most populous country and largest democracy. He also pointed to bilateral defense cooperation and India’s role in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, which includes the United States, India, Japan and Australia.

The proposed trade agreement remains a key issue in relations between the two countries, which have faced disagreements over U.S. tariffs and India’s purchases of Russian oil. Rubio said the State Department does not directly negotiate trade agreements but remains closely involved in the discussions.

The secretary also addressed concerns over U.S. support for Ukraine, saying he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for 45 minutes earlier Tuesday. Rubio rejected reports that President Donald Trump had ordered changes to intelligence sharing with Kyiv or deliberately withheld assistance from Ukraine.

“The President made it very clear he’s ordered no such changes,” Rubio said, referring to intelligence sharing.

However, Rubio acknowledged that a shipment of air-defense interceptors purchased by European countries for Ukraine under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, program might not yet have been delivered. He said such transfers are reviewed against competing defense requirements and the need to protect American military installations and personnel in Europe and the Middle East.

“There’s nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine,” Rubio said, arguing that the United States must balance its commitments to Kyiv with the needs of other partners and its own defense requirements.

He said interceptors were among the most sought-after weapons in the world, but their sophisticated technology, high production costs and lengthy manufacturing process limited the speed at which supplies could be expanded. Rubio added that U.S. production was increasing.

Rubio also said Washington was examining reports of possible technical problems affecting Ukraine’s ability to process and respond to advance warnings of Russian attacks on October 13 and October 18. He said the reported difficulties were understood to be technical rather than the result of a U.S. decision to withhold intelligence.

The secretary acknowledged tensions between Washington and Kyiv, saying Trump was frustrated by the lack of progress in negotiations to end the war. He reiterated that the administration wanted both sides to reach a negotiated settlement, citing continuing casualties, damage to Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure and the risk of escalation. Rubio also raised concerns about attacks affecting energy infrastructure and commercial shipping, including incidents involving American business interests. He said the broader impact of conflicts on global fuel supplies had become a growing concern for governments around the world.

Energy security was a central issue in Rubio’s discussions about India. He said Indian companies could help increase the processing of Venezuelan crude oil, noting that India has substantial refining capacity and experience handling heavy crude. Rubio said he planned to visit Reliance Industries’ refinery complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Wednesday and discuss opportunities involving Venezuelan oil. The company has the technical capability to refine heavy crude, a characteristic of much of Venezuela’s oil production.

He said additional Venezuelan supplies could provide some relief to global energy markets, although they would not fully offset disruptions elsewhere. Rubio added that existing U.S. sanctions-related restrictions concerning Venezuela would need to be considered as the two sides explored possible arrangements.

The secretary emphasized that energy security depends not only on oil production but also on refining capacity, transportation and access to affordable fuel. Disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabian pipelines and the Russia-Ukraine war have added pressure to global supplies, he said.

Rubio welcomed India’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, describing a broader energy portfolio as beneficial to the country and its international partnerships. Asked about India’s purchases of Russian oil, he said New Delhi had made substantial progress in diversifying its supplies but acknowledged that shifting away from a major source could not happen overnight. He said a strong U.S.-India partnership and a more diverse Indian energy supply could serve the interests of both countries.

Rubio also expressed support for the possibility of a summit involving the United States, Russia and China to discuss nuclear issues and arms control. He argued that communication among the world’s three leading nuclear powers would benefit international security, even if major disagreements remained unresolved.

“The world is a safer place when the leaders of the most powerful nuclear arsenals in the world are at least communicating with one another,” Rubio said. He acknowledged uncertainty about whether Beijing would agree to arms-control discussions but said the effort was worth pursuing. He argued that diplomatic engagement should not be viewed as a concession and that negotiations require communication between opposing sides.

Rubio’s remarks highlighted the range of issues confronting U.S. foreign policy, from efforts to finalize a trade agreement with India and strengthen energy cooperation to managing military support for Ukraine and exploring dialogue among the world’s leading nuclear powers.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — New York City FC (NYCFC) announced that it will play its first match at Etihad Park, New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium, at the start of the 2027–28 Major League Soccer (MLS) season in summer 2027. The announcement comes as MLS prepares to transition to a new competition calendar. Before the new calendar takes effect, the league will stage a shortened transition season from February through May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup.

During that transition season, NYCFC will continue playing its home matches at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field before moving into its new home at Etihad Park for the 2027–28 campaign.

“We cannot wait to welcome our fans for the first-ever New York City FC match at Etihad Park,” said Brad Sims, NYCFC chief executive officer. Sims said construction was progressing well and remained on schedule. He explained that opening the stadium at the beginning of a full MLS season would give supporters a more complete experience and align the venue’s debut with a new chapter for both the club and the league.

“Opening alongside a full season ensures our fans can experience Etihad Park from day one, rather than in the middle of a transition year,” Sims said. He added that the timing would allow the club to celebrate its final matches at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, prepare for the move and deliver a major opening that reflects the stadium’s significance to the club and New York City.

NYCFC said it plans to hold test events in the months leading up to the start of the 2027–28 season to ensure the stadium is ready for its official opening. The club thanked supporters for their continued support and said it looked forward to beginning a new chapter at Etihad Park. The stadium is expected to become the club’s dedicated home, marking a significant milestone for NYCFC and its supporters.

NYCFC also outlined plans for City Members during the shortened 2027 transition season. According to the club, members will automatically receive tickets to transition-season matches at a flat rate consistent with their 2026 Membership plan, as previously communicated during the “Your First March to Etihad Park” renewal period in April. Additional information about priority access, invoices and payment plans will be communicated to members separately in the coming weeks.

With the stadium debut scheduled for summer 2027, NYCFC will spend the transition season playing at its existing home venues while preparing for its move to Etihad Park and the beginning of the new MLS competition calendar.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States will continue pressing the international community to hold the Cuban government accountable for alleged human rights abuses, political imprisonment, forced labor and corruption, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said at a news briefing in New York. Speaking at the Foreign Press Center, Waltz accused the Cuban government of using its annual campaign at the United Nations against the U.S. embargo to deflect attention from its domestic human rights record. He said Washington would challenge what it considers misleading claims by Havana and urge other countries to give greater attention to the suffering of the Cuban people.

The briefing featured Jamie Fly, chief executive officer of Freedom House, who outlined concerns about political repression, restrictions on civil liberties and the treatment of prisoners in Cuba. Waltz said the U.S. mission to the United Nations had arranged for diplomats to hear directly from former Cuban political prisoners and independent experts about alleged abuses, corruption and the concentration of economic power in the hands of the Cuban military and ruling elite.

“We are not going to allow those lies to be propagated here unchecked, unchallenged,” Waltz said, referring to the Cuban government’s position on the U.S. embargo and the country’s economic difficulties.

Fly said Cuba has been classified as “Not Free” throughout the 53-year history of Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report. According to Fly, Cuba received a score of just 9 out of 100 in the organization’s freedom index, including zero points for political rights. He also cited figures from Prisoners Defenders, a human rights organization that monitors political imprisonment in Cuba, saying more than 1,300 political prisoners remain in the country.

Those imprisoned include political activists, journalists, artists and ordinary citizens who have protested shortages of food, medicine and electricity or called for greater political freedom, Fly said. He highlighted the cases of musician Maykel Castillo Pérez and political activist Félix Navarro and his daughter, Saylí Navarro. Fly said Castillo Pérez had reportedly been handcuffed, forcibly restrained by several guards and subjected to a forced haircut during a recent security operation at his prison.

He also pointed to a September 17, 2026, European Parliament resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Félix Navarro and his daughter, citing concerns about their treatment and health conditions. Fly said the cases illustrate the broader restrictions on freedom of expression, association, assembly and political participation in Cuba.

Waltz criticized Cuba’s overseas medical missions, alleging that the government exploits doctors and nurses by withholding their earnings and placing pressure on their families at home. He argued that the programs, which Cuba has long presented as a form of international medical cooperation, raise serious concerns about labor rights and coercion.

The United States has urged governments, particularly in Latin America, to reconsider their participation in arrangements that Washington alleges facilitate forced labor, Waltz said. The Cuban government’s response to the allegations was not presented at the briefing.

Waltz also accused the Cuban military-linked business conglomerate GAESA of exercising extensive control over the country’s economy while ordinary Cubans face shortages of basic necessities. He questioned why fuel and electricity appeared to remain more readily available to security services and privileged groups while much of the population struggled with shortages.

The briefing came ahead of a United Nations vote on a resolution concerning the U.S. embargo against Cuba, scheduled for October 27–28, according to remarks at the event. Waltz said U.S. diplomats were engaging with other countries to encourage them to reconsider their positions on the resolution in light of Washington’s human rights concerns.

He also raised allegations about Cuban nationals recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, arguing that money associated with such activities benefits the Cuban government rather than the individuals involved. Waltz cited information presented by Ukrainian officials concerning Cuban recruitment and urged European governments to consider the issue when deciding how to vote at the United Nations. He said human rights should receive the same serious attention as peace, security and development in the work of the international organization.

Addressing Cuba’s economic and humanitarian difficulties, Waltz said President Donald Trump had recently released $100 million in humanitarian assistance intended to help people in need. According to Waltz, the assistance was to be distributed through the Catholic Church and other organizations. He alleged that the Cuban government was attempting to control the distribution of the aid.

Waltz said Washington wanted to see greater economic openness, basic freedoms and an end to practices it considers coercive. He identified the ability of humanitarian assistance to reach vulnerable people as one measure of whether conditions were improving.

During the question-and-answer session, Waltz was asked about reports that Florida had secured an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 shooting down of two aircraft operated by the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue. Waltz said the case represented a long-standing demand for justice and noted that federal and state-level legal proceedings were relevant to efforts to establish accountability. He said the Trump administration took alleged human rights abuses seriously and expressed confidence that accountability would eventually be pursued.

The briefing concluded with a question about accountability for atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar. Although the moderator initially sought to keep the discussion focused on Cuba, Waltz said the administration took the suffering of Rohingya refugees in camps seriously.

The event underscored Washington’s effort to place Cuba’s human rights record at the center of its diplomatic engagement at the United Nations ahead of the upcoming vote on the embargo resolution. The allegations raised by U.S. officials and Freedom House at the briefing were not accompanied by a response from the Cuban government during the session.

New York — Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, 28, a resident of Ontario, Canada, has been sentenced to an additional 50 years in federal prison for attacking two correctional officers at a Pennsylvania prison in 2020 while serving a separate sentence for plotting a mass-casualty terrorist attack in New York City on behalf of ISIS. According to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement dated Monday, October 19, 2026, the new sentence will run consecutively to the 40-year prison term Bahnasawy is already serving for his role in the 2016 New York City terror plot.

According to court records, Bahnasawy attacked two correctional officers at U.S. Penitentiary Allenwood on December 7, 2020, using a weapon made from part of a steel desk in his cell. He stabbed one officer in the head and face. When a second officer intervened to help, he stabbed her in the hand. The first officer eventually lost his right eye as a result of the attack.

After Bahnasawy was restrained, authorities discovered a note inside his sock stating, “This is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State.” Investigators also found a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, commonly known as ISIS, taped inside a locker door in his prison cell.

In November 2025, Bahnasawy pleaded guilty to multiple offenses, including assault, assault with intent to commit murder, possessing contraband inside a prison, and providing material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the additional sentence would help ensure that Bahnasawy remains in prison for a long time after carrying out another violent attack in the name of ISIS.

U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said the sentence reflects the government’s commitment to prosecuting people who commit violence in the name of ISIS, including those who carry out attacks behind prison walls.

Bahnasawy was arrested in May 2016 after traveling from Canada to the New York City area in preparation for a planned terrorist attack. At the time, he was 20 years old and had conspired with Talha Haroon and Russell Salic to plan bombings and shootings in heavily populated areas of New York City during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The alleged plot was intended to cause mass casualties on behalf of ISIS.

An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group by posing as an ISIS supporter willing to participate in the planned attacks. Bahnasawy has remained in custody since his arrest. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office investigated the prison attack case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur and Deputy Chief Larry Schneider of the Justice Department’s National Security Division Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

Washington DC — The United States has imposed sanctions on five entities connected to Chinese national Linwei Ding over the theft of trade secrets belonging to U.S. persons, the State Department announced Monday. The sanctions were imposed under the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act (PAIPA), as Washington steps up efforts to protect American innovation and counter intellectual property theft involving sensitive and emerging technologies.

According to the State Department, the action follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). On January 29, 2026, a U.S. federal jury convicted Ding on seven counts of theft of trade secrets. He was found guilty of stealing thousands of pages of confidential information containing Google’s trade secrets related to super intelligence (SI) technology, allegedly to benefit himself and technology companies based in China.

The State Department said the theft of trade secrets involving sensitive and emerging technologies poses a serious threat to U.S. economic, foreign policy and national security interests. Such activities can undermine American businesses, threaten jobs, discourage investment and cost U.S. industries billions of dollars annually, the department said.

The Trump administration reiterated its commitment to protecting American innovation and safeguarding U.S. businesses and individuals from intellectual property theft. The latest sanctions were imposed pursuant to the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act, codified at 50 U.S.C. § 1709.

The State Department said additional details about the designations are available in its accompanying fact sheet. The action underscores Washington’s continued focus on protecting trade secrets and maintaining U.S. leadership in advanced technologies amid growing concerns over economic and technological security.

ATLANTA: Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami CF secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer (MLS) action on Saturday night. The Argentine superstar delivered a decisive performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, helping Miami strengthen its position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Neither team managed to score in the opening stages, but Miami broke the deadlock just before halftime. Germán Berterame headed home a cross from Luis Suárez in the 45th minute, with Messi also contributing to the move. Messi then took control of the match after the break. He doubled Miami’s advantage in the 56th minute with a left-footed finish following a combination with Berterame.

Four minutes later, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner struck again. Messi raced through Atlanta’s defence and calmly finished to make it 3-0, completing his brace and further extending his lead in the MLS Golden Boot race. Berterame played a key role in both second-half goals, providing the assist for Messi’s first strike and helping create space for the second.

Atlanta continued to push for a response and finally found the net in the 89th minute. Fafà Picault converted a penalty to reduce the deficit, but the home side could not mount a late comeback.

The victory marked Inter Miami’s third consecutive win in the regular season. The result also highlighted Messi’s continued influence, as he combined goalscoring with creative play to guide his team to another important result.

Atlanta United, meanwhile, will look to recover in its next league fixture after suffering a home defeat. Inter Miami are scheduled to face the New York Red Bulls on October 24, while Atlanta United will host Chicago Fire on the same day.

NEW YORK: New York City FC and Los Angeles FC played out a 1-1 draw in their Major League Soccer (MLS) clash at Citi Field on Saturday night, leaving both teams with one point as the race for the playoffs intensifies.

LAFC took the lead through Finnish midfielder Leo Walta, who scored from a free kick from around 30 yards in first-half stoppage time. The goal was his first in MLS since joining the Los Angeles club on loan in late August.

NYCFC responded strongly after the break and found the equalizer in the 59th minute. Andrés Perea powered home a header from a corner delivered by Nicolás Fernández Mercau to bring the home side level.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, creating a dramatic finish. LAFC forward Son Heung-min came particularly close to scoring in stoppage time, but his shot struck the inside of the post and bounced away.

The draw extended LAFC’s unbeaten run under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit to three matches. The club remained sixth in the Western Conference with 46 points, moving closer to securing a place in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.

For NYCFC, however, the result was another setback in a difficult season. The team continued to struggle for consistency and remained under pressure to collect points in its remaining regular-season fixtures to keep its postseason hopes alive. LAFC will next host its city rival, the LA Galaxy, on October 25, while NYCFC is scheduled to visit Orlando City on October 24.

Washington DC — Democrats are seeking to capitalize on shifting campaign strategies as Republican-aligned groups scale back spending in several competitive U.S. House races ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. According to an Associated Press report published this week, the leading Republican House super PAC, Congressional Leadership Fund, has canceled planned spending in four congressional races while increasing investments in 16 others. A separate super PAC aligned with President Donald Trump has also reduced spending in a competitive district in the Las Vegas area.

The changes suggest that Republican campaign organizations are concentrating their resources on races they consider more winnable as they work to preserve the party’s narrow House majority. The spending changes cover several competitive districts across the country, including contests in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Republican campaign officials familiar with the plans told the AP that the decisions reflect shifting priorities during the final weeks of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Democrats are expanding their efforts to challenge Republican-held seats. Their House campaign committee is looking to raise additional money for advertising and has identified more districts as potential targets. Democratic strategists believe that forcing Republicans to defend a wider range of seats could stretch the opposition’s financial resources and create opportunities for unexpected victories.

The political environment has become challenging for Republicans amid voter dissatisfaction with economic conditions and President Trump’s approval ratings. Issues including household expenses, fuel prices and federal spending have become important themes in competitive races.

Republican strategists, however, argue that Democrats may be spreading their resources too widely by targeting districts where Trump won comfortably in the 2024 presidential election. The campaign spending decisions illustrate a familiar feature of U.S. elections: parties and outside political groups frequently move money between districts as polling, fundraising and assessments of candidates change.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are being contested in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans are seeking to retain control, while Democrats need to win a net gain of seats to take the chamber. The outcome will determine how easily the White House can advance its legislative agenda during the remainder of Trump’s term. A change in control could also bring greater congressional scrutiny of the administration and alter negotiations over federal spending and domestic policy.

With Election Day approaching, campaign spending decisions are offering clues about which races political organizations consider most competitive. However, changes in advertising budgets alone do not determine the outcome, and the results will ultimately depend on voter turnout and support in individual districts.