Democratic majority sets stage for Trump showdown with Congress

With the Democratic Party now holding a majority in Congress, US President Donald Trump will serve the next two years of his term under new constraints, which will affect his authority over both domestic and foreign policy. This marks a shift from the first half of his presidency, when the Republican Party held the majority.

What powers does Congress hold?

According to preliminary results, Democrats won about 54 seats compared to 44 for Republicans in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, Democrats secured 242 seats while Republicans took 151, giving Democrats control of Congress. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House, is expected to be nominated as majority leader.

With this majority, Republicans will lose the ability to pass legislation in the House without Democratic support. Democrats, in turn, gain broad oversight powers over the Trump administration, including launching parliamentary investigations into government activities and decisions, and demanding official documents from the White House and federal agencies.

Democrats will also have the authority to summon senior officials to testify before congressional committees, subjecting top Trump administration figures to ongoing and intensive oversight.

In the Senate, Democrats can block or delay many of Trump’s appointments, given the Senate’s role in confirming top officials such as cabinet members, ambassadors, federal judges—including Supreme Court nominees—and heads of federal agencies like the FBI, CIA, and ICE.

Democrats can also use their majority to pressure the White House into negotiating on legislation and government policies.

Impeachment and accountability

Democrats in Congress could reopen investigations into Trump family business dealings, including those of Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr., as well as issues related to Jeffrey Epstein and military spending, raising the likelihood of new impeachment proceedings.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Democrats have not ruled out any option regarding Trump’s accountability or impeachment in the coming period, echoing the impeachment proceedings Trump faced during his first term from 2017 to 2021.

However, removing a US president is difficult. The House can approve articles of impeachment by a simple majority, but conviction and removal require a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which Democrats alone do not possess.

How will US foreign policy change?

Trump will retain control over many aspects of foreign, security, and military policy. The impact of losing congressional control on the ongoing eight-month conflict between the US and Iran, which Democrats oppose, remains unclear. Democrats have argued that Republicans ceded Congress’s constitutional war powers to the Trump administration, and are now expected to limit those powers.

With their new influence, Democrats could reduce defense spending or block appointments to pressure Trump to seek congressional authorization for ongoing military action, after Trump launched the conflict without congressional approval. Democrats have repeatedly voted to end the fighting unless Trump sought such authorization.

Two sources told Reuters that some countries believe the election results may give Trump greater incentive to reach a peace deal with Iran and reduce the likelihood of a major new attack, though they also warned of possible escalation or limited military strikes before the conflict ends.

Regarding Israel, US media reports suggest that Democratic control of both chambers will increase oversight of Israeli military operations in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon, as well as intensify scrutiny of US military aid and arms sales to Israel.

On Ukraine, Democratic control of Congress is expected to pave the way for more support for Kyiv, after Trump previously halted some direct US financial and military aid to Ukraine.

Following Trump’s announcement lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and exempting Russia’s energy sector from certain restrictions, Congress—including Republicans—opposed the move. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, a candidate to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan bill to block Trump’s plan to return Russian diesel to global markets.

However, the election results are not expected to change the US administration’s stance in trilateral peace talks with Russia, as Washington continues to pressure Kyiv for concessions while simultaneously negotiating trade deals with Moscow that benefit American investors.