INTERNATIONAL NEWS - The US Democratic Party has won control of both chambers of Congress in the country’s 2026 midterm elections, dealing a significant political blow to President Donald Trump and his Republican administration.
The results represent a major shift in political power in Washington, giving the Democrats greater influence over legislation and the ability to scrutinise the Trump administration during the remaining two years of his presidency.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats were contested in Tuesday’s (3 November) elections, alongside gubernatorial races in several states.
The Democrats secured at least seven Republican-held Senate seats, including victories in traditionally Republican states such as Texas, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and South Carolina.
The party also made significant gains in the House, winning seats in districts that had supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
The outcome is widely viewed as a rejection of the Republican administration’s performance, with economic concerns, rising living costs, the war involving Iran and allegations of government corruption featuring prominently in voters’ concerns.
A challenge to Trump’s agenda
The Republicans entered the elections with narrow majorities in both chambers, allowing Trump’s administration considerable room to advance its legislative priorities.
The Democratic victories will change that political landscape. Control of the House gives the Democrats the power to influence the legislative agenda, lead congressional committees and launch investigations into the administration.
A Democratic-controlled Senate will also have greater influence over presidential appointments, including senior government officials and judicial nominations.
The shift is expected to make it considerably more difficult for Trump to advance his policies without support from opposition lawmakers.
Trump responds to election setback
Trump congratulated the Democrats on their campaign victories, but rejected the suggestion that the results represented a personal rebuke of his presidency.
In an interview with Fox News, he praised the opposition party’s campaign efforts while attributing the Republican losses to individual candidates rather than dissatisfaction with his administration.
The president had previously urged supporters to approach the midterms as though he himself were on the ballot.
The results mark a significant change in the balance of power in Washington and are likely to shape the direction of US politics as Trump enters the final two years of his term.
Source: AFP, rewritten by Digital team
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