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Democrats have won control of both chambers of the United States Congress after a sweeping victory in Tuesday’s midterm elections, dealing President Donald Trump and his Republican Party a major political setback.
The party’s gains in the Senate and House of Representatives will give it the power to block parts of Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration during the final two years of his presidency.
The results reflected widespread voter dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living, tariffs and Trump’s war against Iran, which has driven up fuel prices and added to economic concerns.
Despite his history of questioning election results, Trump said he was willing to accept the outcome and work with the Democrats.
“I am absolutely willing to accept those results,” he told The New York Times, adding that he would “work with the Democrats”.
However, shortly afterwards, he posted a picture of a red baseball cap bearing the word “VETO” on social media, signalling his readiness to oppose legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress.
The Democrats secured crucial Senate victories in Kansas and Iowa, taking the number of Republican-held seats they flipped to six. Their gains also included Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio, where Republican candidates had received strong backing from Trump.
In Kansas, Methodist minister Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate since 1932.
Iowa also elected a Democratic senator for the first time since 2008, highlighting the scale of the party’s gains in traditionally Republican states.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated a Trump-backed candidate in the Senate race, while Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control of the state’s top office.
Democrats also secured control of the House after winning several Republican-held districts across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky, Arizona and North Carolina.
One notable victory came in Indiana, where Democrat J.D. Ford defeated Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz in a district Trump had won by 17 percentage points in 2024.
In Georgia, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in United States history.
Republicans recorded some victories in Florida, where Trump-backed Byron Donalds won the governorship, becoming the state’s first Black governor. Ashley Moody also retained a Senate seat for the party.
The Democratic victory is expected to give the party greater oversight of the Trump administration, including investigations into allegations of corruption, the Iran war and immigration enforcement.
Democrats will also have the power to block judicial appointments and senior government nominations requiring Senate confirmation.
Robert Garcia, a Democrat expected to lead the powerful House Oversight Committee, signalled plans for scrutiny of the administration, posting on social media: “LAWYER UP.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Trump’s political movement was “on the run from sea to shining sea”. He could become the first Black Speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes in January, subject to election by his colleagues.
George Washington University professor Todd Belt described the Democratic gains as “a big wipeout and a strong repudiation of Donald Trump and his policies”, pointing to voters’ concerns about the economy, corruption and the Iran conflict.
For many voters, the cost of living was a central issue. Taylor Cook, a 24-year-old voter in Los Angeles, told AFP: “Rent, groceries, utility bills, and property taxes keep climbing.”
