Democrats win Congress, leaving Trump a lame-duck president

Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, making President Donald Trump a lame-duck president facing two years of political gridlock. The party secured 228 House seats and at least 54 Senate seats, with counting ongoing. Trump retains veto power and his role as commander-in-chief, but Democrats will block legislation, open investigations, and thwart appointments when Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. He posted a "VETO" baseball cap on social media in defiance, while conceding the Democrats "fought hard." Voters cited rising costs, tariffs, and the Iran war as key concerns. Democrats won Republican strongholds including Texas, Iowa, and Kansas, elected the first Muslim senator, and global leaders welcomed the result, though Iran's supreme leader expected no policy shift.