Trump Faces Tough Times as Democrats Take Control of Congress

With the Democrats now in control of Congress, things could change for Trump in his last two years. The new Congress can look into administration actions, call officials to testify, check spending, review the war in Iran, and question policies on immigration, health care, and the economy. The days of easy approval from Congress seem to be over, and tougher checks are likely to follow.

Voters who supported President Donald Trump and gave Republicans a majority in Congress in 2024 cannot say it was a mistake. Dick Stoken noted in The Great Game of Politics that there is a psychology behind who we choose to elect.

The recent midterm results echo Stoken’s point that US politics often swings back to the center, not because of the voters but due to them. One term for Trump (2017-2021) was enough. But since the Democratic Party was seen as out of touch, creating a nanny state and increasing red tape, Trump’s quirks seemed like the middle ground. He was elected again in 2024, despite his arrogance.

Tick Tock

Now, the political pendulum is swinging left again. It is surprising that a president who got the US involved in an unnecessary Middle East war, caused global trade wars, criminalized migration, and bullied allies is now unable to save his party from losing. Voters have shown him that all 45 presidents since 1776 are just tenants in the White House, not owners.

If Trump had his way, he would have tampered with the votes or created a crisis to change the outcome. But despite his disregard for due process and his thirst for revenge, he could not. Disappointed voters restrained him on November 3.

Americans, or at least many of them, have given their first national verdict on Trump’s second term. While midterms are not presidential elections, this one felt like one, with President Barack Obama and Trump himself campaigning hard.

A Clear Outcome

The results show a Democratic victory that feels significant. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for grabs, along with 35 of the 100 Senate seats and 36 governorships. The stakes were clear: Republicans had control of both chambers. After the polls, Democrats flipped the previously red Congress to blue.

This election was not just a battle between two parties. It was a clash of two visions for America: one energized by Trump’s MAGA ideas and the other worried about living costs, Trump’s abuse of power, and the fading American dream.

For Democrats, this election is a chance to breathe fresh air and rebuild their influence. Their campaign was about more than just opposing Trump. They focused on affordability in housing, prices, healthcare, and energy while presenting themselves as ready to check Trump’s excesses. Their challenge was to turn anger into a plan for governance, not just a protest.

As a rule, midterm elections often punish the president's party. Voters who gave a president the keys to the White House come back two years later to approve or disapprove of how things are going. Since Trump’s second term began, the situation has been not just bad but dangerous.

With Americans facing violence from ICE agents in clear state-sanctioned actions and attacks on critics like Ilhan Omar, the election took on a new urgency. Trump himself led Republican campaigns, asking voters to see him as being on the ballot. This was a sign that, despite his stubbornness, he was worried about an unfavorable outcome - which is what he got.

Bribe Offer Fails

He told Americans to act like he was on the ballot (he changed his tune after the defeat) and offered a $5,000 reward for every vote if Republicans won. His supporter, Elon Musk, reportedly spent $474 million. Yet, Trump faced backlash, and Republicans lost.

His approval ratings are at record lows, with public anger focused on the economy and a foolish war in Iran that a Republican Congress felt helpless to change. The election results show that Trump has become a liability and a political disaster for the White House, as Republican candidates struggled to distance themselves from a president who demands loyalty and rarely admits mistakes. Their loss should not be regretted.

For Democrats, this election is a chance to revive their influence. They campaigned on affordability, housing, prices, healthcare, and energy, while also preparing to check Trump’s excesses. Their task was to turn protests into a governing plan, not just a protest vote.

Democrats had the upper hand in energy. Polls and early voting showed strong Democratic enthusiasm. Compared to Republicans, Democrats seemed far more eager to vote, indicating that Trump’s opposition brought infrequent voters to the polls, something party leaders had struggled to do.

Trump’s claims about the economy, like everything else, became disputed. Bloomberg revealed that his handling of the economy and the war in Iran contributed to his low approval ratings.

Immigration was another key issue. For Trump’s supporters, border enforcement is a promise kept. For Democrats and many independents, enforcement has turned into something deadly, divisive, and harmful to America’s image. For young, minority, and urban voters, immigration is a matter of morality and civil rights.

Foreign policy also played a role. The war in Iran has shifted national security from a Republican talking point into a topic of debate. Voters want to know the cost of war, who would fight it, and if it would improve their daily lives.

A Caution with Trump

It’s unwise to underestimate a demagogue. Trump might continue to rule America for the rest of his term through vetoes and executive orders, without involving Congress. It remains to be seen if the midterm has finally taught the Trump White House a lesson it failed to learn before. The pendulum is swinging back to the center, but it’s still too early to celebrate.

Voter Turnout

Americans showed up to vote, even with protest votes. Early voting data showed that about 54 million Americans had already cast their votes before election day. Of these, around 43 percent were Democrats, 32 percent were Republicans, and 25 percent were independents or unaffiliated voters.

Notably, there was an increase in turnout among voters of color in states that track race and ethnicity. This is significant because Democrats gained support from young, non-white, and previously disengaged voters, groups that usually vote less in midterms.

The election was not decided in predictable California or New York. It was decided in a few competitive states and districts: North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, and Alaska, which were key battlegrounds.

Now that Democrats control Congress, Trump’s final two years could be different. They can investigate administration actions, call officials to testify, check spending, review the war in Iran, and challenge policies on immigration, health care, and the economy. The time of a Congress that just approves everything may be over, and stricter checks are likely.

Challenges Ahead

While winning Congress gives Democrats power to investigate and block new laws, it does not mean they can easily undo Trump’s existing laws while he is president. Controversial laws signed by Trump, like the tax-and-spending law in 2025 (the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill), mandatory immigration detention for certain non-citizens (the Laken Riley Act 2025), and federal judicial appointments will be harder to change than expected.

It's wise not to underestimate a demagogue. Trump may rule America for the rest of his term through vetoes and executive orders, without Congress. We will see if the midterm has finally taught the Trump White House a lesson it failed to learn before. The pendulum is moving back to the center, but it is too early to feel hopeful.