Donald Trump faces Democratic sweep of Congress in US midterm elections

Democrats swept the US midterm elections in a historic wave, seizing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in a major blow to Donald Trump’s second administration, according to an analysis by The Guardian.

The simultaneous flip of both congressional chambers to the opposition during a midterm vote has occurred only three previous times since the second world war, having happened in 1946, 1994, and 2006. The Democratic victories upended longstanding Republican strongholds, with the party capturing Senate seats in Kansas for the first time since 1932, in Texas since 1988, and in South Carolina since 1998.

Voters cited the rising cost of living and government corruption as their primary concerns, according to exit polls conducted by the Associated Press. While Trump secured the presidency in 2024 campaigning on pledges to bring down consumer prices and conclude foreign conflicts, his implementation of trade tariffs and a military offensive against Iran contributed to sustained price increases. During the campaign, the president delivered rambling addresses focused on personal grievances and public works, while public attention was drawn to lavish projects such as a planned White House ballroom.

Trump reacted to the losses by pointing out that his name was not on the ballot, even after previously urging voters throughout the campaign season to treat the contest as a referendum on him. On Tuesday evening, the president signaled his intention to rely heavily on his veto authority.

When the new Congress convenes in January, Democratic majorities will possess the power to stall Trump's legislative proposals, reject his judicial and executive nominees, and initiate congressional investigations. Key administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside outside allies such as Elon Musk, are expected to face rigorous legislative scrutiny. Democratic leaders could also weigh the possibility of pursuing a third impeachment.

Despite losing control of Capitol Hill, Trump retained extensive executive authorities that he previously leaned on during the first two years of his current term, such as unilaterally executing military strikes in Iran and Venezuela and imposing import tariffs. The outcome also sets off an accelerated succession battle among Republicans eyeing the 2028 presidential campaign, including Vice President JD Vance and Marco Rubio, potentially loosening Trump's decade-long grip on the party apparatus.