Democrats have won control of the US House of Representatives and Senate, NBC News projects, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections.
The party is expected to secure about 255 seats in the 435-member House, significantly above the 218 seats required for a majority. The projection could still change slightly as vote counting continues.
The victories will give Democrats control of both chambers of Congress for the first time since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
Democrats needed a net gain of just three seats to take control of the House but defeated several Republican incumbents across the country, including in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana and Colorado.
Among the defeated Republicans were Brian Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan and Scott Perry in Pennsylvania. Democrat Elaine Luria also reclaimed her former seat in Virginia, defeating Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans.
Another major Democratic victory came in North Carolina, where Richard Ojeda II defeated Republican Richard Hudson, chairman of the House Republican campaign committee.
The results represent a significant rejection of Trump’s policies, including his immigration crackdown, the eight-month war with Iran and tariffs that contributed to rising prices of essential goods.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the election results as a demand for political change, accusing the Republican administration of extremism and corruption.
Speaking to supporters in Washington, Jeffries said Americans had made their position clear and wanted a Congress that would deliver for them.
He is expected to become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress takes office on January 3, 2027.
What Democratic control means for Trump
The Democratic victory will give the party control of powerful House committees, allowing lawmakers to investigate Trump’s administration, family business interests and government policies.
Democrats will also gain subpoena powers, enabling congressional committees to compel witnesses to provide information and testify during investigations.
Representative Robert Garcia of California, who is expected to chair the House Oversight Committee, has said his panel will investigate allegations of corruption involving the Trump family, including the president’s cryptocurrency ventures.
The committee also plans to examine the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security, corporate corruption and the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Some Democrats have also raised the possibility of impeaching Trump for a third time. However, the party has yet to reach a decision on whether to pursue the move.
Jeffries told NBC News that Democrats had neither ruled out nor committed to impeachment.
Beyond investigations, Democrats intend to use their majority to challenge several of Trump’s policies.
Their priorities include reversing cuts to Medicaid, extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, restoring congressional authority over tariffs and stopping Trump’s war with Iran.
Republicans face leadership questions
The election results are a major setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally who has led House Republicans for the past three years.
It remains unclear whether Johnson will seek to remain the party’s leader in the House or step aside following the defeat.
Democrats previously lost control of the chamber in the 2022 midterm elections. Their return to the majority also follows a familiar pattern in American politics, where the president’s party often loses congressional seats during midterm elections.
The 2026 contest was also shaped by a nationwide battle over congressional district boundaries.
Trump had encouraged Republican-led states, including Texas, to redraw their electoral maps to improve the party’s chances of winning additional seats.
Democrats responded with redistricting efforts in California, where voters approved Proposition 50, a new congressional map backed by Governor Gavin Newsom and other prominent Democrats.
The changes helped Democrats gain Republican-held seats.
With the new Congress scheduled to begin on January 3, 2027, Democrats will have greater power to scrutinise Trump’s administration, challenge his policies and shape legislation during the remainder of his second term.
