An interesting article, well-written and well-argued, but I do think this film takes a political stance. Yes, by having California and Texas be allies it allows Americans of all political persuasions a way into the drama, and yes, it's doing the great thing that dystopian drama does (ie, let's make sure this doesn't happen in real life), but I don't think it is bereft of a political viewpoint. I think the President is meant to be a Trumpian figure, given what Trump himself has said about wanting a third term, his disdain for journalists (true, he didn't shoot any of them), and the FBI for that matter. Plus the rhetoric is very Trumpian too.