The U.S. midterm elections could reshape Congress and affect President Donald Trump’s ability to advance his agenda. (Foto: Instagram)
Millions of Americans voted Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the country’s midterm elections, which could reshape Congress and affect President Donald Trump’s ability to pursue both domestic and foreign policy goals. Republicans currently control the House and Senate, giving Trump’s party an advantage in advancing his agenda. Election polls had pointed to the possibility that Democrats could win control of one or both chambers, a shift that would make it harder for the president to move proposals through Congress.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives were contested, along with 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. Voters also chose governors in 36 states. A Democratic majority in either chamber could give the opposition more leverage to block or challenge legislation, expand investigations into the administration, call government officials to testify and increase oversight of the executive branch. A change in the balance of power would not automatically prevent Trump from acting, but could complicate his ability to govern during the final two years of his term.
The election was a test of Trump’s political standing as well as his popularity. His approval rating was in the 30% range amid public dissatisfaction with the economy and the administration’s handling of domestic issues. Foreign policy decisions have also added to voter concerns, including rising fuel costs associated with the war against Iran and intensified immigration operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE.
International lawyer Clarita Maia said U.S. officials had warned allies that new military operations against Iran could follow the election, though no final decision had been made by the president. She said the conflict had already raised energy costs and fueled economic concerns. If the war escalates, she said, an opposition-controlled Congress could seek answers about the legal basis, costs, strategic goals and duration of military operations, and could debate funding limits and the scope of war powers.
Trump also said Tuesday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to end the annual U.S. assistance payment to Israel, which he described as $4 billion a year. He told Fox News that the agreement to stop the payment had been made months earlier. U.S. military assistance and other financial commitments to Israel are already part of political debate, and a changed Congress could increase pressure on Trump to end the conflict with Iran because of its economic cost, Maia said. She added that a Republican loss would not necessarily make Trump less active abroad, but could raise the political cost of his decisions and limit the institutional support for them.
A potential Democratic majority could also scrutinize Trump’s announced process to reduce the U.S. military presence in Europe and his relationship with European allies in NATO. In Latin America, Maia said, a shift in Congress could give regional governments more opportunities to engage with lawmakers, especially when their views differ from those of the White House. She said governments may increase what is often called parliamentary diplomacy. Trump could also face greater resistance to his tariff policy, potentially requiring the White House to negotiate with the opposition to advance some international initiatives.
Analyst Rebeca Lucena said the election could affect the Republican Party’s internal dynamics as the 2028 presidential race approaches. The results may offer an early indication of Trump’s ability to keep the party aligned and shape a succession plan, she said. A change in congressional control could therefore influence not only the president’s remaining time in office, but also the party’s preparations for the next presidential contest.
