In brief
After a sweeping mid‑term victory, Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress amid President Trump’s post‑election White House renovations and his assertion of veto power. The party vows to tackle the cost of living, restore subsidies, and work to end the Iran war through congressional oversight, but faces the challenge of a Republican minority and a president who may veto major legislation. Trump’s comments on the Iran conflict and his display of the new ballroom underscore the political tensions that will shape the coming two years.
In Washington on Nov. 5, 2026, Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress after a blue wave in the U.S. midterms, while President Donald Trump, now a Republican in the executive branch, highlighted renovations at the White House and hinted at a willingness to cooperate unless Democrats act destructively.
Reuters reported that the new majority seats the White House and Congress at a historic crosswalk and that House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the incoming majority would focus on affordability and accountability.
“We don’t work for Donald Trump. We work for the American people. And the days of the House of Representatives functioning like a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump administration are over.”
Jeffries, a New York lawmaker on track to become the first Black speaker of the House, warned that the Democrats would use oversight to check the president.
Trump appeared on the morning after the defeat to show off the ballroom he is building at the White House and told reporters that he has the power of the veto and would get along with the Democrats unless they act destructively. He also said he would carry on with the Iran war, asserting that the conflict was necessary to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“I do. I mean, well, you have no choice.”
Al Jazeera highlighted that the Democrats campaigned on reducing the cost of living, restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, and ending the Iran war. Economics analyst Dean Baker said the party could use investigations and oversight to pressure the Trump administration to end the conflict, potentially easing consumer costs.
While Baker acknowledged that reversing tariffs would be harder without Republican support, he said restoring subsidies could be included in spending bills that are harder for Trump to veto. Alex Jacquez of Groundwork Collaborative noted that committee power could investigate companies that have raised prices, offering a path that does not require presidential approval.
Both Al Jazeera and Reuters note that the Democratic majority must navigate the Republican minority in the House, the courts and the president’s veto power. The party’s promises remain unconfirmed until legislation is drafted and passed. Nonetheless, the mid‑term elections have set the stage for a potentially contentious policy battle as Democrats seek to deliver on their campaign pledges.
