Stop the count! Democrats seize control of US Congress; Major setback for Donald Trump

WASHINGTON: Political analysts believe that the first warning sign is already here for the United States President, Donald Trump. The President suffered a major setback in the midterm elections. The Democrats wrested control of the U.S. Congress from the Republicans, securing a clear majority in both the upper house—the Senate—and the lower house—the House of Representatives.

US President Donald Trump had alienated the world with his threats of tariffs, including those concerning wars in the Middle East. Meanwhile, at home, citizens were perturbed over the unprecedented price hikes and economic uncertainty. US citizens displayed their dissent in the ballot box.

A shudder went through the Republican camp as the first phase of results emerged on Wednesday. The Democrats secured a majority in both the Senate and the House. In previous elections, the two parties had engaged in a neck-and-neck battle, with margins of only a handful of seats. This time, however, Trump’s Republican Party found itself under immense pressure from the very start, faltering even in its traditional strongholds.

The United States is set to witness a confrontation between Trump and the U.S. Congress over the next two years. Trump will no longer be able to make unilateral decisions on issues such as tariffs, war, and immigration. The Democrats will be in a position to counter his moves; however, Trump retains the power of the veto.

The presidential election is set for 2028. The Democrats have gained confidence and are hopeful of making a comeback. The new Congress will take office on January 3rd. Members of the House of Representatives serve a two-year term, while Senators serve a six-year term. Elections were held for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. In the 100-member Senate, elections took place for 35 seats. The election symbol of the Democratic Party is a donkey, while that of the Republican Party is an elephant.

Democrats can pass their bills in both chambers of Congress, but Trump would likely veto them. However, Democrats retain the freedom to seek explanations and conduct investigations. The Senate also has the power to block Trump’s judicial and executive appointments.

What went wrong for Trump

1. As the war with Iran dragged on without resolution, fuel prices in the US skyrocketed, and the cost of living surged.

2. Trade tariffs fueled inflation, while frequent shifts in his stance eroded his popularity.

3. Restrictions on immigration and visas dealt a blow to tech companies and the education sector.

What the US elections mean for India

• Since the President determines foreign policy, defence and diplomatic ties will remain unaffected. Meanwhile, the threat of unilateral tariffs from Trump may dissipate. If the Democrats resist moves to restrict H-1B visas, it will be beneficial for Indian professionals.

• The Democrats are not entirely pro-India. They occasionally make unsolicited comments on India’s internal affairs, such as issues concerning human rights and the rights of minorities. Furthermore, they have objections regarding India’s oil and defence dealings with Russia.