US President Donald Trump has suffered a major political setback after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, ending the Republican Party’s control of the House of Representatives and Senate.
This comes just days after Trump hinted at ending the Iran war while simultaneously announcing the conclusion of military aid to Israel.
The results mark a sweeping reversal for Trump, whose party had controlled Congress during the first two years of his second term.
Democrats secured victories in traditionally Republican states and districts, with voters expressing frustration over high living costs, the war with Iran and concerns about corruption and the administration’s performance.
According to the Associated Press figures, Democrats have secured 228 seats in the House of Representatives, compared with 139 for Republicans.
In the Senate, Democrats have secured 54 seats, while Republicans have won 44, giving Democrats control of both chambers. The House requires 218 seats and the Senate 51 for a majority.
The outcome will reshape Washington for the final two years of Trump’s presidency, giving Democrats control of the legislative agenda and greater authority to challenge the White House.
Democrats Flip Republican Strongholds
Democrats gained at least seven Senate seats, including victories in Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina and South Carolina. The result in Kansas was particularly significant, as the state had not elected a Democratic senator in nearly a century. In South Carolina, Democrats also defeated a Republican candidate backed by Trump.
The party also captured more than two dozen Republican-held House seats, including districts that had supported Trump by comfortable margins in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats won all 20 of the most closely watched House contests decided at the time of reporting, while Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts largely failed to prevent Democratic gains.
The victories extended beyond Congress, with Democrats also winning several Republican-held governorships. The results reflected a broader shift across states that had supported Trump in the previous presidential election.
Trump Faces Two Years of Congressional Opposition
With Democrats set to control both chambers when the new Congress takes office in January, the president will face a much more challenging legislative environment. Democrats will be able to block legislation, reject presidential nominees and launch investigations into the administration, Trump’s family and his political allies.
The election was widely viewed as a referendum on Trump’s presidency. Reuters reported that half of voters surveyed considered their vote an opportunity to rebuke the president, while 70 percent wanted Congress to impose stronger checks and balances on his power. High living costs and dissatisfaction with the administration were among the central issues shaping the result.
Trump accepted the outcome and congratulated Democrats in an interview with Fox News, while also saying he would work with them on issues such as immigration. He sought to distance himself from the defeat, saying he had not been on the ballot and would have won by a landslide if he had been.
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