The SOTU moment that Republicans hope saves the midterms

Politico

by By Alec Hernandez and Dasha Burns

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address provided Republicans with a pivotal moment to reframe their immigration narrative ahead of the midterms. During the speech, Trump asked lawmakers to stand if they agreed that “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” While Republicans rose en masse and Democrats remained seated, this visual contrast has been seized upon by GOP strategists as a powerful tool to energize their base and attack Democratic candidates. The National Republican Congressional Committee is already planning to use this moment in campaign ads targeting vulnerable House members, while groups like American Sovereignty are rolling out TV commercials that accuse Democrats of prioritizing illegal aliens over citizen safety. This strategy comes after months of backlash against Trump’s controversial “zero-tolerance” immigration policies, which have been widely criticized as harsh and inhumane. By shifting the focus to border security and removing violent criminals—two issues with broader public support—Republicans hope to reposition themselves on a more palatable version of their immigration platform. This reframing is seen as critical for the GOP, which has struggled to maintain its historical dominance on immigration and economic policy. The timing of this moment could not be more crucial for Republicans. Polling data shows that nearly half of Americans view Trump’s immigration tactics as too aggressive, and a significant portion blames his administration for rising costs associated with enforcement efforts. By highlighting their support for protecting American citizens, Republicans aim to counter perceptions of being out of touch and overly punitive. For GOP candidates and strategists, this SOTU moment provides an opportunity to reset the narrative around immigration. Preya Samsundar, a Republican communications strategist, noted that it sets the tone for why many Americans—regardless of party affiliation—are supportive of Trump’s immigration policies. This includes measures like border security and deporting dangerous criminals, which enjoy broader public approval. The midterms loom large, and both parties are working to capitalize on this political moment. For Republicans, leveraging this visual divide could help them regain momentum on an issue they once controlled. Whether it succeeds will depend on how effectively they can rebrand their immigration platform while addressing the growing skepticism among voters about Trump’s hardline approach.

Verticals

politicsnews

Originally published on Politico on 2/26/2026