Democrats have won control of the Senate and House in Tuesday’s midterm elections, and are pledging to use this power to check President Donald Trump, setting up the likelihood of deadlock in Washington.
Democrats secured a Senate majority of at least 54-44 by flipping seats in strongly Republican states, and gained at least 30 House seats. Races in Alaska and Mississippi were still uncalled, and could widen the Senate margin to 56-44.
Trump, who also served from 2017 to 2021, has never before faced a Democratic Congress in both chambers. Voters’ anger focused on the cost of living, tariffs, and the unpopular US war with Iran, which began in February.
Republicans lost ground in 99% of the roughly 2,100 counties tallied by Wednesday morning. The results included several upsets as well; Democrats won a Texas Senate seat for the first time since 1988 and unseated Governor Greg Abbott.
Kansas elected its first Democratic senator since the Great Depression. In South Carolina, which Trump carried by nearly 18 points in 2024, Democrats defeated his hand-picked Senate candidate. Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s open Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber.
Read More: A Stunning Blow to Trump: Democrats Take Congress, What Happens Next?
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is on track to become the first Black House speaker, said his party would focus on affordability and accountability.
“We don’t work for Donald Trump,” he told reporters. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged fellow Democrats to follow through on voters’ economic concerns, saying winning power was not enough.
Trump spent much of his first post-election appearance showing reporters the White House ballroom under construction. He addressed the results only briefly, saying he expected to get along with Democrats unless they became destructive, and noting that he holds the veto. He acknowledged the Iran war had hurt his party but defended the decision.
Vice President JD Vance, a possible 2028 contender, was direct, writing (on X) that the war was the reason Republicans lost. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis likened the outcome to an extinction-level event for his party. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not lead House Republicans next year.
When the new Congress is seated in January, Democrats are expected to investigate the administration and its allies, seek concessions on major legislation and use the Senate to block nominees, including any future Supreme Court pick.
Republicans still control Congress until then. They face a must-pass bill to fund the government past December, which they could use to advance conservative priorities during the lame-duck session.
