Democrats seize control of Congress in rebuke to Trump

Thursday, 5 November 2026 06:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed speaks after winning the State’s US Senate race and making history

The Democratic Party has wrested control of both chambers of the US Congress from Republicans in a sweeping electoral victory, delivering a major rebuke to President Donald Trump and his political agenda.

The party secured majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate, making significant gains in traditionally Republican strongholds, including Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. Kansas had not elected a Democrat to the Senate in almost a century. The Democrats took the House with 228 seats against 139 to Republicans, and secured 54 Senate seats against 44 to Republicans.

The results also delivered a breakthrough for progressive Democrats, with Abdul El-Sayed winning the Michigan Senate race to become the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate.

Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran had contributed to the Republican defeat, as rising fuel prices and broader inflation added to voter concerns over the administration’s policies.

The scale of the Democratic gains marked a significant shift in the balance of power in Washington, handing the party control of Congress and presenting a major political setback for the President.