Democrats Seize Control Of US Congress In Major Setback For Trump
Democrats have captured both the Senate and House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, giving the opposition party the power to challenge President Donald Trump’s agenda during the final two years of his presidency.
The Democratic Party has secured control of both chambers of the United States Congress following a sweeping victory in Tuesday’s midterm elections, delivering a significant setback to President Donald Trump.
The results give Democrats the power to block legislation, launch investigations into the Trump administration and obstruct the president’s judicial and senior government appointments.
The outcome reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the cost of living, tariffs and Trump’s military campaign against Iran, which has contributed to rising fuel prices and added to pressure on an already unpopular administration. The Associated Press confirmed that Democrats had won control of both chambers, with at least seven Senate seats changing hands.
In Texas, Democratic voter Kathy Jackoway celebrated the victory of Senate candidate James Talarico.
“I feel like I could cry right now. This is so incredibly exciting. We can get our country back,” she said.
Trump adopted a conciliatory tone in response to the results, telling The New York Times that he was “absolutely willing” to accept the outcome.
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Speaking to Fox News, he also praised the Democratic campaign.
“I think the Democrats did a good job, I really do,” the 80-year-old president said. “They fought hard.”
However, Trump sought to distance himself from the Republican losses, saying he did not view the result as a personal setback.
He acknowledged that the conflict with Iran had contributed to the defeat but defended the military campaign. He also suggested that Republicans and Democrats could find common ground on immigration, an issue that has remained divisive throughout his presidency.
Democrats Make Gains In Republican Strongholds
The Democratic victory included major breakthroughs in traditionally Republican states, with the party flipping seats in South Carolina, North Carolina, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Texas and Maine.
In Maine, former logger Troy Jackson defeated long-serving Republican Senator Susan Collins, securing another Senate seat for Democrats.
Kansas also elected Methodist minister Adam Hamilton, making him the first Democrat to represent the state in the Senate since 1932. Iowa similarly returned a Democratic senator for the first time since 2008.
Talarico declared that he had defeated “Goliath” after winning his Senate race in Texas. Democrat Gina Hinojosa also defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control of the state's governorship.
Democrats retained key Senate seats, including Jon Ossoff’s seat in Georgia, as well as an open seat in New Hampshire.
In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated former Republican lawmaker Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
“Michigan, we did it!” El-Sayed told supporters at his election headquarters in Detroit.
His victory came despite a late intervention by Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who had lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed before endorsing Rogers.
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Democrats also made significant gains in the House of Representatives, winning districts across Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arizona, North Carolina, Wisconsin and New Jersey, including areas Trump had carried comfortably in 2024.
In Indiana, Democrat J.D. Ford defeated Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz in a closely watched race. Trump had won the district by 17 percentage points in the previous presidential election.
The party also secured Georgia’s governorship, with former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms making history as the first Black woman elected governor in the United States.
Republicans recorded some victories in Florida. Trump-backed Byron Donalds became the state’s first Black governor, while Ashley Moody retained her Senate seat after facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic challenge.
George Washington University professor Todd Belt described the outcome as “a big wipeout and a strong repudiation of Donald Trump and his policies”.
Democrats Prepare To Challenge Trump's Agenda
Control of Congress will allow Democrats to intensify scrutiny of the Trump administration, including its handling of the Iran conflict, immigration enforcement and allegations of corruption.
The party will also be positioned to block parts of the president’s legislative agenda and challenge his appointments to senior government positions.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who is expected to lead the powerful House Oversight Committee, issued a warning to Republicans on social media.
“LAWYER UP,” he wrote.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries also declared that Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement was “on the run from sea to shining sea”.
Jeffries could become the first Black Speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes in January.
Despite initially praising the Democratic campaign, Trump later insisted on social media that Republicans would have won “IN A LANDSLIDE” if he had been on the ballot.
The president had repeatedly urged Republican supporters during the campaign to “pretend I'm on the ballot”.
He also renewed his threat to veto legislation passed by Democrats, posting an image of a red baseball cap bearing the word “VETO”.
The election results mark a major shift in the balance of power in Washington, setting up a period of increased congressional scrutiny and political confrontation during the remainder of Trump's presidency.
