Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, dealing a stunning political setback to President Donald Trump as voter frustration over rising costs and his administration’s policies propelled the party back into power on Capitol Hill.

The Democratic sweep upended the balance of power in Washington, threatening to derail Trump’s legislative agenda and subject his administration to aggressive congressional oversight during the final two years of his presidency.

Democrats were projected to secure at least 245 House seats, surpassing the 218 needed for a majority, according to an MS NOW estimate. And in a feat that looked difficult at the beginning of the cycle, they flipped enough Republican-held Senate seats to reach the 51 seats needed for outright control of the chamber, according to the Associated Press. Many of those seats were in red territory.

The results marked a striking turnaround for Democrats, who entered the midterms facing questions about their leadership, political identity and ability to reconnect with voters after their 2024 losses.

They also signal a major shift in the balance of power in Washington for the final two years of the Trump presidency. With both chambers under Democratic control, Trump faces the prospect of congressional investigations, contentious spending negotiations and significant obstacles to advancing his remaining legislative priorities.

Economic concerns dominated the campaign, with Democrats capitalizing on dissatisfaction over grocery prices, health-care costs and Trump’s handling of the economy. Republicans struggled to convince voters that the president’s policies were improving their financial circumstances.

In competitive House districts, Democrats targeted Republican incumbents over their support for Trump’s domestic agenda, particularly its effects on healthcare and household finances.

The Senate results were especially consequential. Democrats overcame a challenging electoral map, flipping at least four Republican-held seats in red states to erase the GOP’s 53-47 advantage and secure control of a chamber responsible for confirming presidential nominees and federal judges.

The outcome also raised questions about Trump’s ability to translate his personal political appeal into support for Republican candidates. The president mounted an aggressive campaign blitz in the closing weeks, including visits to traditionally Republican states such as South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio and Kansas where his party faced unexpectedly competitive races.

Democrats will gain subpoena power through congressional committees and greater leverage over federal spending, though Trump’s veto authority and Senate procedural rules will limit their ability to enact legislation without Republican support. Democrats still need 60 Senate votes to have a complete lock on Capitol Hill because of the filibuster.

The party’s new majorities will also face pressure to deliver tangible results on affordability and health care, rather than allowing confrontations with the White House to dominate their agenda.

For Trump, who began his second term with Republicans controlling both chambers, the shift represents a significant loss of political leverage — and a far more difficult governing environment heading into the final stretch of his presidency.

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