After Losing Congress.. Pressure on Trump to 'Change Course'

The administration of US President Donald Trump is facing the fallout from the sweeping defeat suffered by Republicans in the midterm elections, after Democrats seized control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and made inroads into traditional Republican strongholds. The results reflected voter discontent with the administration’s policies, particularly the war on Iran and rising living costs. Trump acknowledged that the war contributed to his party’s losses but defended his decision to launch it, insisting he feels no regret and would make the same choice if he could turn back time. The results have sparked calls within the Republican Party to change course and make adjustments in the White House team, with demands to restore discipline and abandon policies that have become electoral liabilities, including the war on Iran and tariffs. As an indicator of the defeat’s impact on the party’s future, Vice President JD Vance blamed the war for the losses, a move that appeared to distance him from Trump amid speculation about succession calculations for the 2028 presidential election. In Washington, Democratic control of Congress empowers the party to block Trump’s legislation, investigate his administration’s performance, and challenge his nominees, potentially pushing the president to rely more heavily on executive powers. Meanwhile, the White House is preparing for the possibility of staff departures and administrative changes, as it anticipates congressional investigations that Democrats intend to launch.