By Sohaib Shams
Democrats have secured full control of Congress, NBC News projects, after flipping Republican-held seats in deeply red states and major battlegrounds. The victory gives the party majorities in both the House and Senate for the first time since 2006.
Senate and House victories
Democrats flipped five Republican-held Senate seats in Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, a state they have long sought to turn blue. In several of those races, former President Donald Trump hand-picked nominees over party objections. The House majority could be the party's largest in nearly two decades, with Democrats needing only a net gain of three seats but achieving far more.
Voter sentiment and Trump's role
Exit polls showed 43% of midterm voters cast ballots to oppose Trump, whose job approval rating is lower than any president on Election Day in nearly two decades. Seventy-one percent of voters, including 41% of Republicans, said Congress has not provided enough oversight of the administration. Trump initially campaigned heavily but later distanced himself, claiming he was not on the ballot.
Implications for oversight and investigations
With majorities in both chambers, Democrats plan aggressive oversight of the Trump administration, including investigations into family business dealings, immigration enforcement, and White House renovation projects. Key committee leaders such as Reps. Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin have outlined targets ranging from alleged corruption to pardons and foreign influence. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, poised to become the first Black speaker, said Democrats will focus on lowering costs and ending corruption but have not ruled out impeachment.
Leadership changes and 2028 outlook
Sen. Chuck Schumer is expected to return as Senate majority leader. The results may also affect the Supreme Court, as Senate Democrats have signaled they would block any Trump nominee in his final two years. The defeat could reshape the 2028 Republican presidential race, where Vice President JD Vance is seen as the front-runner but may face challenges if the election is viewed as a rejection of Trump's brand of politics.
