Obama, Trump campaign across states before midterms

As midterm elections approach, Barack Obama has campaigned for Democrats in Ohio and Michigan, criticizing President Donald Trump’s record on the economy, governance and foreign policy, while Trump has rallied Republicans and defended his policies. Republicans are also working to protect their congressional majorities: reports describe campaign groups shifting resources toward vulnerable incumbents and Trump-aligned organizations considering a major spending push, even as some contested races remain difficult for GOP candidates. In farm states, the administration announced $8 billion in proposed aid for farmers facing high costs and policy-related pressures, but the payments may not arrive before the election and the funding still needs to be secured. Separately, the Trump administration’s lawsuits challenging California voter rolls have drawn scrutiny; critics say they target few voters and could lay groundwork for post-election legal challenges, while the administration’s actions come amid broader conflict over the state’s election rules and redistricting.