Democrats win control of US Congress in sweeping midterm defeat for Trump

Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress, in a sweeping defeat for President Donald Trump's Republican Party that will reshape the final two years of his presidency.

The Associated Press called the Senate for Democrats late on Tuesday, November 3, and the House early on Wednesday, according to reports. Counting continues in some races, and the totals of the final seat are not yet known.

A wave across the map

Democrats flipped Senate seats in states including Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine and Texas, CNN reported, several of them in places Trump won comfortably. They also held Michigan, one of the few seats they were defending in a competitive race.

In the House, NBC News reported that Democrats passed the 218 seats needed for a majority. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is now in line to become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress meets in January.

"Senate Democrats are in the majority, and we are ready to get to work," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

According to reports, Democrat Gina Hinojosa also defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, in Texas.

Trump's response

Trump struck an unusually gracious tone, at least at first. "Well, I say this: congratulations to the Democrats. They did a good job," he told Fox News. "They've been looking for this one for 11 years, and they finally got it. But I don't view it as a hit on me."

He acknowledged that the war with Iran may have played a part: "I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, people understood the importance of what I've done with Iran." He said he could work with Democrats on many things, but warned he would veto their bills.

On his Truth Social platform he wrote: "I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!"

What changes

Control of Congress gives Democrats power over legislation and government funding, and the ability to launch investigations into the administration. Control of the Senate also lets them block or approve Trump's judges and cabinet nominees.

They do not have the numbers to override a presidential veto, and Senate rules mean most bills still need 60 votes to pass, so Trump's agenda is more likely to stall than to be reversed. He also keeps wide powers over foreign policy and trade.

Markets and the world

Global markets took the result calmly. US stock futures edged higher and world shares were mostly up on Wednesday, with analysts saying the outcome changes little in the near term.

Abroad, governments will be watching whether a Democratic Congress limits US military action against Iran, maintains support for Ukraine and pushes back on tariffs.