Trump officials who could be under fire as Democrats sweep Congress

The United States Congress flipped blue in the November 3 midterm elections, erasing the Republican majority, but President Trump retains his veto power. For Ukraine, the electoral shift has seen some critics removed and several staunch Republican allies lose their seats. Just before Americans cast their votes, Russia launched 59 cruise missiles at Ukraine's power grid.

For over two years, a Republican-led Congress merely handed Ukraine policy over to the White House, which sanctioned a diesel deal with Moscow that conflicted with a 2022 ban. Now, Congress holds the budget, sanctions laws, and investigative powers, thereby regaining control over US support for Ukraine.

With Democrats holding 54 Senate seats to the Republicans' 43 as of publication, several races in Alaska, Mississippi, and Nebraska remain undecided. Democrats have clinched seven seats, including victories in Texas and Kansas. Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. In the House, Democrats have won 231 races, while Republicans have secured 144, with about 258 to 177 votes expected by the final count.

Under Democratic control, Hakeem Jeffries is set to become Speaker, replacing Mike Johnson. Johnson had kept the Ukraine Support Act off the House floor for over a year. Lawmakers eventually forced a vote through a discharge petition, and the bill passed in June with $8 billion in military loans.

Trump responded to the electoral outcome by posting a red cap with a "VETO" message on Truth Social. Days earlier, he discussed his plan on the New York Post's Pod Force One podcast, stating he would send aid to Ukraine, veto it, and eventually negotiate a deal. The Democratic majority in Congress has allowed them to set the agenda, chair committees, and pass bills, although they still need about 32 House Republicans and 13 senators to override a veto, which requires two-thirds of the members voting in each chamber. Most Senate bills also require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

The loss of Ukrainian critics and allies in the elections is notable. Victoria Spartz, who advocated for ceding territory to Ukraine, lost her Indiana seat to Democrat J.D. Ford. Republican Scott Perry also lost his seat. Republican Anna Paulina Luna narrowly retained her Florida seat, despite meeting Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev and hosting Russian Duma deputies.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported her win, noting her meeting with Putin's envoy and hosting Russian Duma deputies. Other Ukrainian Republican friends, including Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Lawler, also lost their seats. Both had supported the Ukraine Support Act, which was voted on by 18 Republicans in the previous Congress.

Before the vote, Trump waived sanctions on Russian officials and banks and pursued deals with Moscow, such as the diesel deal. Richard Fontaine of the Center for a New American Security stated that Russia saw an opportunity with the midterms approaching. Elon Musk, who supported Trump against Zelenskyy, spent at least $445.6 million on Republicans, with more than $200 million going to Texas, where his candidate lost.