Democrats win US Congress in midterm rout of Trump

Democrats triumphed in the US midterm elections on Wednesday, seizing control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in a decisive, nationwide rejection of President Donald Trump. This resounding victory will grant the opposition the power to block legislation, launch extensive investigations into Trump’s administration, and thwart his judicial and senior government appointments.

The election results reflected widespread discontent over rising living costs, tariffs, and Trump’s aggressive stance towards Iran, which has resulted in soaring fuel prices and heightened dissatisfaction with an already unpopular president. Despite expressing a willingness to accept the election results, Trump attempted to distance himself from his party's poor performance, suggesting the conflict with Iran played a role in his defeat.

He also hinted at the possibility of collaboration with Democrats on issues like immigration. However, in a subsequent social media post, Trump appeared determined to counteract Democratic legislative efforts with a "VETO" symbol. The Democrats' historic Senate gains were particularly notable in Kansas and Iowa, where they secured their first victories in the state since 1932, illustrating the party's significant inroads into traditionally Republican strongholds.

In Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Ohio, Republican candidates faced defeats despite Trump's efforts to rally his supporters. Democrat James Talarico secured a US Senate seat in Texas, defeating a Trump-backed senator, while Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control of the state's top office.

Other key Democratic victories included Jon Ossoff retaining his Senate seat in Georgia and Xavier Becerra winning the governorship in California, becoming the first elected Latino governor in the state's history.