Democrats win control of Congress, NBC News projects, after gains in Republican strongholds

Democrats have won control of the House and Senate, NBC News projects, following midterm victories that reached into Republican strongholds and delivered a major setback to President Donald Trump. The party is positioned to secure what could be its largest House majority in nearly 20 years, while its Senate gains overcame a map that had appeared unfavorable at the campaign’s outset.

South Carolina provided an early indication of Republicans’ difficulties when Democrats prevailed in a state that many in their own party had considered beyond reach. The Democratic advance extended further into Trump’s political strongholds than in the 2018 midterms. In several contested states, Trump had selected Republican nominees despite concerns within his party about their prospects in a general election.

The NBC News Exit Poll found that 43% of voters cast their ballots partly to express opposition to Trump. Another 71%, including 41% of Republicans, said Congress was providing insufficient oversight of the president. Affordability, corruption, immigration and the Iran war also figured prominently. Trump’s Election Day approval rating was lower than that of any president in nearly two decades.

Trump maintained a busy campaign schedule during the final month and urged voters to treat the election as though he were running. After Republicans’ losses became apparent Tuesday evening, he offered a different explanation on social media: “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!” His efforts to blame former President Joe Biden for rising prices did not appear to persuade voters. Gas prices had climbed after Trump and Israeli leaders launched the Iran war in late February.

Democratic control will give lawmakers the ability to issue subpoenas and hold oversight hearings when the new Congress convenes in January. House Democrats have promised investigations into Trump’s family finances, business dealings, administration and immigration enforcement. They have also identified his renovation projects at the White House and other Washington-area landmarks as subjects for scrutiny.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is poised to become the first Black House speaker. Democrats are expected to hold leadership elections during the week of Nov. 16, with the formal speaker vote scheduled for Jan. 3. Jeffries has said impeachment is not the party’s focus, although Democrats have not excluded it. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is expected to return as majority leader.

The Senate result could also affect the Supreme Court. Before the election, several Democratic senators questioned whether they would support any Trump nominee if a vacancy arose during his remaining two years. Control of the chamber places Democrats in a position to block his choices, adding another potential source of conflict between Congress and the White House.

Latino voters were one factor behind Democrats’ improving Senate prospects. After helping Trump return to office in 2024, they shifted away from him amid concerns over prices and his immigration crackdown. An NBC News poll released Sunday showed Democrats leading among Latino voters by 27 points, compared with Trump’s seven-point deficit among that group in 2024.

Republicans could try to advance spending and tax priorities, along with a debt ceiling increase, before surrendering congressional control in January. Their leadership is also unsettled, with the futures of Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson uncertain after the losses.