US midterms deliver rebuke to Trump's presidency

The Democratic Party swept both houses of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterms, delivering a stern rebuke to President Donald Trump's presidency and his populist strongman governance style. The election drew intense global attention as a referendum on his leadership. Voter polling indicated about six in 10 Americans opposed the Iran war, though only a third called it crucial to their vote, with cost of living and government corruption ranking higher. Vice President JD Vance attributed Republican losses largely to the war against Iran, which began in February following US strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The results demonstrate American democracy can check an overbearing presidency, but it remains unclear whether voters rejected unilateral US military power abroad. Long-standing bipartisan consensus on American exceptionalism and global leadership may persist despite opposition to Trump's reckless execution of foreign policy.