The "Democratic" United States

Washington – Agencies: Democrats seized control of the U.S. Congress in the midterm elections, turning the vote into a harsh defeat for Republicans and President Donald Trump, who expressed “full readiness to accept the results.” With their majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Democrats now hold the upper hand in blocking Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his term and launching investigations into his officials that they had threatened early on.

The U.S. president offered a rare commendation to his Democratic opponents yesterday, telling Fox News that they had done “a good job,” adding, “I shouldn’t feel guilty.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker of the House in the new Congress, told supporters, “We will hold accountable those who dragged this country to unprecedented levels of corruption.” He added, “When high-ranking officials are busy enriching themselves, their families, their friends, or their donors, they pay no attention to improving the lives of the American people.”

The elections served as a popular referendum on Trump’s second term and “Trumpism” in politics, particularly amid voter discontent over rising living costs, tariffs, and the ongoing war with Iran, which contributed to higher fuel prices. All of this drove presidential approval ratings to their lowest levels.

In one of the biggest surprises of Election Day, media estimates showed Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews defeating her Republican opponent, Darlene Graham, who was backed by Trump, in South Carolina. Graham was appointed to succeed her brother, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, after his death in July. Democrats had not won any Senate races in this conservative state since 1998.

This victory followed a Republican loss in North Carolina, where former state Governor Roy Cooper unseated Michael Waltz, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, who had been personally chosen by Trump.

The victory of Adam Hamilton over incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas was among the biggest surprises, making him the first to win that seat since 1932.

Democratic James Tallarik won the U.S. Senate race in Texas, securing an additional seat for his party. In a competitive race for a Senate seat in Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated Republican John Husted.

Democrats also managed to retain crucial Senate seats, particularly in Georgia, where Jon Ossoff won a new term, and in New Hampshire, where Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.

The momentum was clearly in favor of Democrats. Election results showed the extent of the Republican setback, with Democrats making gains in districts long considered Republican strongholds. In a widely followed race, Democrat JD Ford defeated Republican Representative Victoria Spartz in Indiana. Analysts had considered a Republican loss in that district an early indicator of a potential Democratic “blue wave.”

The party also captured a Republican House seat in North Carolina, while results in Florida showed that redistricting had not delivered the hoped-for gains for Republicans. In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governorship, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history, ending 24 years of Republican control of the office.

Despite this, Republicans made some gains, as Trump-backed Byron Donaldz won the Florida governorship, becoming the state’s first Black governor, while Republican Ashley Moody retained her Senate seat. Ossoff argued that Democratic victories demonstrated American voters’ rejection of President Donald Trump, whom he described as “corrupt” and “useless.” A White House official said the atmosphere in the presidential residence was characterized by “challenge,” warning that the president would continue to confront the “radical left” regardless of the election results, adding, “Get ready for what’s next.” Democratic control of the House would empower congressional committees to investigate matters including the war on Iran, mass deportations of migrants, and allegations of corruption, while also complicating Trump’s efforts to pass new legislation. Meanwhile, the loss of the Senate threatens his ability to confirm judges and appoint senior members of his administration. Among those who could be subject to investigations are Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and technology magnate Elon Musk, Trump’s former advisor, with the option of impeaching the president and his administration officials still on the table. According to the Associated Press, Republican campaign officials did not hesitate to blame Trump for the party’s heavy losses, particularly in Senate races. Two Senate campaign officials said the defeats in South Carolina, Ohio, and Texas—all states Trump had easily won two years prior—constituted a direct rejection of the president. The election results also extended to gubernatorial races, with Democrats winning 26 seats compared to 20 for Republicans out of 36 seats up for grabs, as vote counting continued. Trump had previously hinted at the possibility of dealing with an opposition-controlled Congress, stating in an interview broadcast on Monday that “I will use my veto on everything,” before later acknowledging the potential for reaching understandings with Democrats.