Politics & World Affairs — September 18, 2026

Majority says ICE went too far. A Fox News poll found 53% of voters say immigration enforcement has gone too far, with President Trump's approval on the issue at 43%.

According to Fox News, the finding nearly erases the Republican Party's traditional advantage on immigration, an issue that has long favored the GOP with voters. The 43% approval figure suggests the president's handling of the matter is underwater with a majority of respondents, and the results come from the network's own polling rather than an outside survey, giving the numbers added weight in Republican-aligned media.

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State Department approves Saudi F-35s. The State Department approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, the first U.S. greenlight for the jet to Riyadh.

Riyadh has long sought access to the advanced fighter, which Washington had previously withheld, making the decision a significant shift in U.S. arms policy toward the kingdom, The Hill reported. The approval comes as Houthi attacks threaten Saudi oil infrastructure, underscoring the security concerns driving the kingdom's push for the aircraft. The greenlight covers a potential sale, meaning further steps remain before any jets are delivered.

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Trump PACs reserve $150 million. Two Trump-aligned super PACs reserved more than $150 million in advertising, mostly in traditionally safe Republican House and Senate races that polling shows are now competitive.

The spending pattern itself signals concern within the party: NPR notes the money is flowing largely to deep-red districts and states that polling shows have become unexpectedly competitive, rather than to traditional battlegrounds. NPR characterized the ad blitz as a Republican "cavalry" arriving to shore up seats the party would normally consider secure, suggesting the reservations are a defensive move ahead of the coming races.

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