Democrats have won control of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives in the 3 November 2026 midterm elections, leaving President Donald Trump to face a Congress led by his opponents for his final two years in office.
The US Capitol in Washington, DC, where the newly elected Congress will sit from January 2027. Photo: Architect of the Capitol (public domain).
The Associated Press reported that Democrats crossed the 218 seats needed for a majority in the 435-seat House, while in the Senate they have reached at least 54 of 100 seats, with several close races still being counted.
It is the first time since Barack Obama's second term that a sitting president has faced a Congress where his party controls neither chamber.
- Election day: Tuesday, 3 November 2026
- House: Democrats passed the 218-seat majority mark (AP)
- Senate: Democrats have at least 54 of 100 seats, with some races uncalled
- New Congress takes over: 3 January 2027
- Trump's response: promised to veto Democratic bills he opposes
Where Democrats won
Democrats picked up Senate seats in states that have long voted Republican. According to Al Jazeera, Democratic winners included James Talarico in Texas, Adam Hamilton in Kansas, Josh Turek in Iowa, Annie Andrews in South Carolina, Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Troy Jackson in Maine. Sherrod Brown won in Ohio, and Abdul El-Sayed held Michigan for the party.
Several candidates backed by President Trump lost, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Kansas Senator Roger Marshall. In the Texas governor's race, Republican Greg Abbott lost his bid for a fourth term to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, ABC News reported.
What Trump is saying
Speaking to Fox News, Mr Trump said he was "a little bit surprised" by the result. In separate remarks reported by ABC News, he blamed weak Republican candidates and high fuel prices linked to the war with Iran, and said he would use his veto to block Democratic bills. He also said he was willing to work with Democrats on issues that are good for the country, including a possible immigration deal.
What changes in Washington
Control of Congress gives Democrats several powers over the White House from January:
- Laws: every bill must pass both chambers. Mr Trump can veto them, and overturning a veto needs a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, so Democrats would need Republican support.
- Appointments: the Senate approves cabinet members, ambassadors and federal judges, including any Supreme Court nominee.
- Investigations: congressional committees can demand documents and summon witnesses. Democrats have said they will use these powers.
- Spending: Congress controls the federal budget, including military spending and foreign aid.
- Impeachment: the House can impeach a president and the Senate holds the trial. Mr Trump was impeached twice in his first term and acquitted both times; no US president has ever been removed this way.
Why it matters for Sierra Leone and Africa
The US Congress decides how much the United States spends on foreign aid, health programmes and trade arrangements, and the Senate confirms every US ambassador, including those posted to African countries. Congress also writes the country's immigration and visa laws. A Democratic Congress does not change policy overnight, but it gives lawmakers more power to shape, slow or challenge the administration's decisions in these areas over the next two years.
What happens next
Counting continues in a small number of close races. The new Congress will be sworn in on 3 January 2027. Faddabah Newsroom will update this story as final results are confirmed.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Democrats win Congress: How they did it, and what it means
- ABC News: Trump says he was 'a little bit surprised' after Democrats' big win in midterms
- The Associated Press (AP) election results
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