Democrats vow to rein in Trump after midterm victory

In a significant political shift, Democrats secured a resounding victory in the midterms, setting the stage for a potential clash with President Donald Trump during his second term. The Democratic Party's win came as a result of widespread dissatisfaction with Trump's policies, particularly the US-Iran war, which contributed to rising costs of living.

Democrats gained control of the Senate for the first time since 1988, flipping seats in deeply Republican states, and also expanded their majority in the House of Representatives. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the incoming majority would focus on affordability and accountability, stating, "We don't work for Donald Trump. We work for the American people."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged his party to address voters' concerns, saying, "It is not enough to simply win power. We must use it. Now, it's time for us in the Democratic Party to deliver."

Meanwhile, President Trump, who had spent his first post-election appearance showcasing his under-construction White House ballroom, vowed to work with the Democrats "unless they want to be destructive," but maintained the power of the veto. He downplayed the impact of the war with Iran on the election results, stating, "I'll get along probably with the Democrats, unless they want to be destructive."

The Democratic victory has raised questions about the future of the Supreme Court, with the loss of two of its oldest justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, possibly altering the balance of the court. Republicans, however, retained control of the House and will face a significant piece of legislation to fund the federal government past December.