On November 3, 2026, American voters elected all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 senators, who will constitute the 120th US Congress. Midterm elections, held halfway through a presidential term, serve as a national test of public opinion and have historically gone against the ruling party, with only two exceptions. The 2026 elections were no different, as President Donald Trump’s Republican Party suffered a crushing defeat in both houses of Congress.

The Democrats secured 243 seats against the Republicans’ 147 in the House of Representatives, while in the Senate they won 54 seats compared with 44 for the Republicans. The Democrats will now control both chambers, leaving Trump to face a Congress dominated by his political opponents during the remaining period of his presidency. The results will significantly influence American politics and set the stage for the 2028 presidential elections. The defeat reflects growing public dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies, particularly rising living costs, higher fuel prices, tariffs and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Voters appear increasingly frustrated with his failure to fulfill campaign promises, especially his pledge to lower prices and keep America out of new wars.

One of the most important questions is how the Democrats’ victory will........

© Pakistan Observer