In a New York Times opinion essay, Thomas B. Edsall argues the 2026 midterms — with Democrats flipping governorships in six states and sweeping Southern contests — were a mass rejection of Donald Trump and a halt to America's descent into authoritarianism, yet Trump, who blamed the loss on his absence from the ballot, has appointed Stephen Miller chief of staff. Citing Doug Sosnik's data, William Frey's demographic analysis of young and minority voters, and Gary Jacobson's caveats about lasting realignment, Edsall predicts Trump and Miller will remain sources of chaos and warns that no one is safe with Miller guiding the president's agenda.