In brief: Democrats are projected to take control of both the House and Senate after sweeping midterm victories, including major upsets in Republican strongholds. Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first Black House speaker and has vowed to investigate alleged corruption in President Donald Trump’s administration. The results set up a confrontation during Trump’s final two years in office.
Democrats have seized control of both chambers of the US Congress in a sweeping midterm election victory over President Donald Trump’s Republicans, paving the way for Hakeem Jeffries to become the first Black speaker of the House of Representatives.
US television networks projected Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate following Tuesday’s elections, as Democrats captured Republican-held seats across the country, including in traditionally conservative states such as Texas, Kansas and South Carolina.
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The results mark a dramatic reversal in Washington, ending Republican control of Congress and giving Democrats the power to block much of Trump’s legislative agenda, investigate his administration and exert greater influence over US foreign policy, including Washington’s approach to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Jeffries, the 56-year-old Democratic leader from New York, is positioned to replace Republican Speaker Mike Johnson when the new Congress convenes in January, provided he secures the necessary votes.
His election would make him the first Black lawmaker to hold the speakership, one of the most powerful positions in the US government and second in the presidential line of succession after the vice president.
As Kyiv Post reported earlier, Democrats initially secured a projected House majority, putting Jeffries on course for the historic position. Subsequent victories in Senate races expanded the party’s gains into a projected takeover of the entire Congress.
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The Democratic victories came amid voter frustration over rising living costs, the administration’s tariffs and the economic consequences of the US war against Iran, which has contributed to sharply higher fuel prices.
Jeffries vows investigations into alleged Trump administration corruption
Speaking to supporters as the election results emerged Tuesday night, Jeffries pledged to use the incoming Democratic majority to investigate alleged corruption within Trump’s administration.
“We’re going to bring accountability to those who have visited unprecedented corruption on this country,” Jeffries declared.
He accused senior government officials of prioritizing personal financial interests over the needs of ordinary Americans.
“Because if you have people in high office who are so focused on enriching themselves, their family members, their friends, or their donors, then they’re not focused on making life better for the American people,” he said.
The Democrats’ victory gives the party the prospect of controlling powerful congressional committees, allowing lawmakers to launch investigations, summon witnesses, demand documents and issue subpoenas.
Those powers could be used to scrutinize the Trump administration’s financial dealings, potential conflicts of interest, government spending and other policies that Democrats have criticized throughout his second term.
The change would represent a major shift from the first two years of Trump’s second presidency, when Republicans controlled both chambers and largely supported his legislative priorities.
Trump has denied wrongdoing, while his administration has rejected accusations of corruption.
Democrats flip Republican Senate strongholds
The Democratic victory extended to the Senate, where Republicans entered election day with a 53-47 majority, including two independents who caucused with Democrats.
Democrats needed a net gain of four seats to secure control of the chamber, a difficult task given the number of races taking place in traditionally Republican states.
But the party captured a series of Republican-held seats, including historic victories in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina.
In Texas, Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat to win a US Senate election in the state since 1988.
The result represented a significant breakthrough in one of America’s largest Republican strongholds, where Trump and his allies had campaigned to maintain the party’s control.
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the state since 1932.
Hamilton’s victory was particularly striking in a state Trump carried by more than 16 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
In South Carolina, Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, who had been appointed to replace her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham, following his death in July.
The result marked the first Democratic victory in a US Senate election in South Carolina since 1998.
Democrats also gained a seat in North Carolina, where former Governor Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, a Trump-backed candidate.
In Ohio, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown reclaimed his seat by defeating Republican Jon Husted.
The opposition party also retained key Senate seats in Georgia and New Hampshire, where Jon Ossoff won reelection and Representative Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.
Together, the victories gave Democrats control of the upper chamber’s legislative agenda, committee leadership and confirmation process for presidential appointments.
Voters deliver setback to Trump’s second-term agenda
The midterm elections served as a nationwide test of Trump’s presidency, with voters casting ballots amid persistent economic uncertainty, rising consumer prices and dissatisfaction with the administration’s policies.
Democrats centered their campaigns on affordability, highlighting the cost of groceries, housing, healthcare and fuel while criticizing Trump’s tariffs and handling of the economy.
The US war against Iran also emerged as a significant campaign issue, with higher energy costs adding pressure on American households.
Republicans defended the administration’s economic and national security policies, arguing that Trump’s approach would strengthen American industry, protect jobs and improve the country’s long-term competitiveness.
However, concerns about the cost of living and government corruption emerged as major issues for voters, according to election-night polling.
The results mark a political setback for Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025 with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.
With Democrats now projected to control the House and Senate, the president faces the prospect of a far more difficult legislative environment.
The party would have the power to block legislation, control congressional spending negotiations and exercise significantly greater oversight over the executive branch.
A Democratic Senate would also be able to prevent the confirmation of presidential nominees, including federal judges and senior administration officials.
Trump would retain his presidential veto and substantial executive authority, meaning disagreements between the White House and Congress could lead to legislative deadlock.
What Democratic control of Congress means for Ukraine
The Democratic takeover could have significant implications for Ukraine as Washington continues efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Democrats have generally supported continued military and financial assistance to Kyiv, although the party remains divided over some aspects of defense spending and the terms of a potential peace settlement.
Control of both chambers would give Democratic lawmakers greater influence over military appropriations, sanctions legislation and congressional oversight of the Trump administration’s negotiations with Moscow.
They could also hold hearings examining Washington’s handling of weapons deliveries, security guarantees and diplomatic contacts with Russia.
However, Democratic control of Congress would not automatically guarantee additional military assistance to Ukraine.
Any new funding legislation would still require agreement between the House and Senate, as well as presidential approval or sufficient congressional support to override a veto.
The election results come ahead of another round of US-brokered negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for Nov. 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed hope that the talks could eventually pave the way for a meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the US.
Speaking in Berlin on Tuesday, Zelensky also warned that America’s global security role could diminish, urging Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own defense.
“The United States’ role in the world may become even smaller. So Europe’s role in the world must become even greater,” Zelensky said.
The shift in congressional control introduces a new political dynamic as Washington attempts to advance negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
For Trump, the loss of both chambers would mean spending the remainder of his presidency facing an opposition-controlled Congress with the authority to challenge his domestic agenda, scrutinize his administration and shape America’s response to the war in Ukraine.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.
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