The results of the U.S. midterm elections have been announced, marking a period of challenging governance for Trump over the next two years. According to multiple U.S. media reports, the Democratic Party secured control of both chambers of Congress in the midterms held on November 3 local time. As reported by AFP, this victory enables Democrats to simultaneously hold power in the House of Representatives and the Senate, granting them the authority to obstruct President Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his term and to investigate allegations of corruption linked to him.
With the midterm outcomes now confirmed, Trump has shifted from his previous hardline stance to a more conciliatory position. In an interview with CBS, he acknowledged that the Iran conflict had “had some impact” on Republican performance, conceded that Democrats “performed well,” expressed mild surprise at the outcome, but emphasized that he would not view the results as a personal defeat. He affirmed he would not reorganize his cabinet and pledged to cooperate with Democrats “in many areas.”
With Democrats now in control of both houses, Trump’s room for policy maneuvering will be significantly constrained, and he is likely to face mounting legal challenges. Legislative initiatives—including tax reform, energy legislation, social security adjustments, and debt ceiling negotiations—will enter intense political battles. The House, which holds the power of the purse, can block or delay major spending projects such as infrastructure development, border wall construction, and missile defense systems. More critically, Democrats have vowed to launch investigations into Trump and his inner circle, including matters related to the Epstein scandal and allegations of excessive force in immigration enforcement.
However, Democrats do not hold the two-thirds majority required in either chamber to override presidential vetoes, leaving some room for executive action. Still, the era of unilateral dominance seen over the past two years is effectively over. Given the Democratic Party’s capabilities, it is likely that Trump will experience a mix of frustration and strategic restraint—what might be described as “painful yet productive” governance. For the past two years, Democrats have endured significant pressure under Trump’s administration; in the coming two years, they are expected to systematically counterbalance those constraints.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880907076926467/
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