US President Donald Trump has suffered a major political setback after the opposition Democratic Party won control of the Senate and was projected to reclaim the House of Representatives in Tuesday’s midterm elections, threatening to derail much of his legislative agenda during the remaining two years of his presidency.
The results mark a dramatic reversal for Republicans, who entered the elections controlling both chambers of Congress, and reflect growing frustration among American voters over the cost of living, the administration’s trade policies and the ongoing war with Iran.
The Associated Press projected that Democrats had secured control of the Senate, while major US television networks, including CNN and NBC News, projected a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. Vote counting was continuing in several constituencies, with the final distribution of seats yet to be determined.
The outcome would give Democrats considerable influence over federal legislation, government spending and congressional oversight, creating new challenges for Trump as he enters the second half of his second presidential term.
For Maldivian readers, US midterm elections are held every four years, halfway through a president’s four-year term. Unlike presidential elections, Americans do not vote for a president during the midterms. Instead, they elect members of Congress, the country’s federal legislature, along with governors and other state and local officials.
Congress consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives, which has 435 voting members elected every two years, and the Senate, where each of the 50 states is represented by two senators serving six-year terms. All House seats and approximately one-third of Senate seats are contested during midterm elections.
Although Trump remains president regardless of the outcome, losing control of Congress substantially limits his ability to pass new laws without support from the opposition.
A Democratic-controlled Congress could also launch investigations into the administration, summon senior officials to testify and scrutinise government policies and spending. However, the president would retain powers including the ability to veto legislation, while Congress would need sufficient votes to override a veto.
Among the most striking results was the Senate contest in South Carolina, where Democratic candidate Dr Annie Andrews, a paediatrician, defeated Republican Darline Graham, who had received Trump’s endorsement.
Graham, the sister of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, had been seeking to retain the seat following her brother’s death in July.
Andrews’ victory marked the first time a Democrat had won a US Senate election in South Carolina since 1998, delivering an unexpected defeat for Republicans in a state that has traditionally been a stronghold of the party.
Democrats also secured a significant victory in North Carolina, where former Governor Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, another candidate backed by Trump.
Another closely watched Senate contest was in Michigan, where Democratic candidate Dr Abdul El-Sayed was seeking to become the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.
El-Sayed, a 42-year-old physician and former public health director of Detroit, was leading Republican Mike Rogers in early vote counting. Born in Michigan to a family of Egyptian heritage, he campaigned on expanding healthcare access, reducing living costs and ending US military assistance to Israel. His campaign also attracted national attention after Trump and other Republicans repeatedly targeted his Muslim faith.
His election would mark a historic milestone for Muslim representation in American politics.
The party made gains in other Senate contests, including Texas, Kansas and Ohio, helping it overcome the Republican advantage in the upper chamber.
In the House of Representatives, Democrats also performed strongly in districts that had previously favoured Republicans.
One closely watched contest took place in Indiana’s fifth congressional district, where Democratic state Senator J.D. Ford declared victory over Republican incumbent Victoria Spartz.
The result was particularly significant because Trump had carried the district by approximately 17 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, illustrating the extent of the electoral shift in some Republican-leaning areas.
Democrats also recorded a historic victory in Georgia, where former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governorship.
Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of a US state, ending 24 years of Republican control of Georgia’s highest state office.
Republicans nevertheless retained important positions elsewhere, including Florida, where Trump-backed Congressman Byron Donalds won the governorship.
Donalds became Florida’s first Black governor and the first Black Republican elected to lead the state.
The election campaign was dominated by concerns over household expenses, inflation and the economic consequences of the administration’s tariff policies.
The war with Iran also emerged as a major political issue, with rising energy costs adding to pressure on American households and businesses.
Political analysts pointed to public dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of these issues as an important factor behind the Democratic gains.
The results represent a substantial challenge to Trump, whose Republican Party had enjoyed control of the White House and Congress, allowing the administration greater freedom to pursue its legislative priorities.
With Democrats gaining control of Congress, the administration could face prolonged disagreements over federal spending, taxation, immigration and other major policy areas.
Despite the electoral losses, the White House signalled that Trump had no intention of abandoning his political agenda.
A White House official told AFP that the mood within the administration remained defiant and indicated that the president would continue opposing policies advanced by the Democratic Party’s left wing.
Trump also suggested that he was prepared to use his presidential veto to block legislation passed by an opposition-controlled Congress.
In an election-day interview with CBS News, he emphasised the powers available to the presidency, including his ability to reject legislation approved by lawmakers.
However, Trump also indicated that cooperation with Democrats remained possible, suggesting that agreements could be reached on certain issues despite the political divisions.
The election results are expected to reshape Washington’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election, when Trump will be constitutionally barred from seeking another term.
For the next two years, the president will face a Congress with significantly greater Democratic influence, potentially forcing his administration to negotiate with political opponents over key domestic policies.
The outcome also demonstrates the importance of midterm elections in the American political system, where voters can change the balance of power in Congress without replacing the sitting president.
