Democrats win Congress in midterm elections; Johnson declines minority leader role

Democrats won control of both the US House and Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, delivering a major rebuke to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The results will create a divided government for the final two years of Trump's presidency. Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats and won a House majority, with key victories in Texas, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Iowa. Voter dissatisfaction over the cost of living, the war with Iran, and tariffs were cited as major factors. House Speaker Mike Johnson has ruled out running for minority leader. The Democratic sweep sets up intensified oversight of the Trump administration and potential blocks on legislation and judicial appointments. Historic firsts include Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black woman elected governor, Chris Pappas as the first openly gay man in the Senate, and Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim senator. Trump acknowledged the Iran war played a role in the losses but defended his decision to attack.