Democrats have seized control of both chambers of the United States Congress in a sweeping midterm election defeat for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, setting up two years of divided government and a more assertive challenge to his administration.
The victories in Tuesday’s elections, which included flipping at least seven Republican-held Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts, have handed Democrats control of the legislative branch for the first time since Trump returned to the White House.
The outcome represents a major reversal of fortunes for Republicans, who entered the election controlling both chambers, and gives Democrats the power to block legislation, scrutinise presidential appointments and launch investigations into the administration during the final two years of Trump’s term.
Democrats made decisive gains in states that had been considered safe Republican territory, including Texas, South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa.
They also captured Senate seats in Ohio, North Carolina and Maine, overturning the Republican majority that stood at 53 to 47 before the election.
In the House of Representatives, Democrats swept the key competitive races, with gains extending into traditionally conservative districts.
An Associated Press tally reported by Al Jazeera put the party at 228 seats won, with leads in another 34, leaving it on course for a potentially historic majority.
The scale of the defeat prompted an immediate reckoning within the Republican Party, with House Speaker Mike Johnson informing aides that he would not seek to lead the party’s conference in the minority.
Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio has indicated that he will seek the leadership position, arguing that the party must adopt a more aggressive approach to its opposition role.
The election also exposed divisions within the Trump administration over the causes of the Republican collapse, particularly the unpopular war with Iran.
Vice President JD Vance blamed war, which has been described as a war of choice of the Trump administration, for the party’s losses, saying in a social media post: “The reason we lost is the war.”
He wrote: “If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost.”
His comments marked a notable departure from Trump’s defence of the military action. The President said Vance’s assessment was “largely true” but insisted that, given the choice, he would not have changed his decision.
However, preliminary ABC News voter polling suggested that the election backlash extended beyond the war.
Fifty-five per cent of House voters said government corruption was crucial to their vote, while 49 per cent identified the cost of living and 34 per cent cited the Iran war.
Democratic leaders have promised to use their new congressional majority to challenge the administration’s policies and intensify oversight of the executive branch.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become Speaker, described the result as an “American tsunami”, saying: “The days of the House of Representatives functioning like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump administration are over.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also signalled a more confrontational approach, saying the party’s priorities would include reducing living costs and tackling corruption.
Trump, however, said he was willing to accept the election outcome and work with Democrats, despite his previous efforts to cast doubt on electoral integrity.
The Democratic gains extended beyond Congress to state governments, with the party making significant advances in gubernatorial and other down-ballot contests.
Republicans retained Florida, where Trump ally Byron Donalds won the governorship, but lost ground in several states previously considered Republican strongholds.
With some closely contested races still being counted, the final congressional seat totals remain subject to change. The transfer of control in both chambers, however, marks a decisive setback for Trump and raises the prospect of sustained congressional scrutiny of his administration.
Source: punchng.com
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