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For Donald Trump, his party’s resounding midterm losses pave the way for investigations and potential impeachments that will put the Republican president on the defensive in his final two years in office.
The results shift the center of gravity closer to Capitol Hill, where Democrats will be angling to check Trump’s power after two years of acquiescence from congressional Republicans. It not only resurfaces a dynamic from his first term in office, when House Democrats took power in Trump’s first midterms and ultimately impeached him twice, but with control as well of the Senate, Democrats can now stymie Trump’s nominations to Cabinet posts and lifetime federal judgeships.
Trump had all but guaranteed the results would be seen as a referendum on himself by repeatedly urging voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” as he went into primarily conservative states to shore up Republican candidates and warned of a Washington where Democrats were in power.
But the results showed how voters rejected Trump’s handpicked candidates while airing widespread concerns about high costs in the wake of his war against Iran and his punishing tariff policy.
Trump tried to shift the blame away from himself during a Fox News interview that aired early Wednesday, saying Democrats “did a good job” in their campaigns and faulting GOP candidates for their losses. “I don’t view it as a hit on me,” he said.
The results leave Trump — who watched returns at the White House with his advisers and members of his Cabinet — with dramatically diminished political capital at home and abroad.
Democrats promise 100-day agenda
House Democrats are promising a 100-day agenda starting with efforts to lower the costs of gas, groceries and other goods, as well as bills to reverse cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid healthcare programs. They’re also ready to launch a robust oversight agenda to, as Jeffries says, “hold the crooks accountable.”
Impeachment — of the president or his Cabinet members — is an option.
The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, issued a one-sentence warning: “Lawyer up.”
Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, issued his own one-word missive: “Subpoenas.”
Democrats will be under pressure to quickly show that they have solutions for the high gas and grocery prices, the war in Iran and concerns about the direction of the country.
For Jeffries and his leadership team, it will be their first time in the majority, managing a class of newcomers including a handful of far-left democratic socialists.
With the majority in the 435-member House well past the 218 needed and the Senate Democrats holding at least 54 of 100 seats in that chamber, Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will have room to maneuver.
“Five words for the American people: Relief is on the way,” the New York senator said.
From investigations to impeachment, the stakes for Trump are high
Senior Democrats, as they anticipated a majority in at least one chamber of Congress, have been telegraphing what their top investigative targets would be: the Trump administration’s policies, the conduct of its personnel, and interactions between government officials and private corporations who’ve tried to wield influence with the White House.
Among their priorities are the Trump family’s business dealings, the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and broader allegations of corporate corruption.
A Democratic majority will be armed with control of committees, bigger budgets and staff, and subpoena powers that could compel the administration to be responsive to Congress. In response, the White House could reprise its strategy from the first Trump administration, when it slow-walked congressional requests for documents and testimony and asserted executive privilege over certain information.
The president is also bracing for major legislative fights, saying he has a “strong veto.” On Tuesday night, Trump posted a picture of his signature red ball cap with “VETO” stitched on it.
A lame-duck session and leadership elections await Republicans
For Republicans, their shriveled numbers will create a reckoning of their own, as they try to figure out what went so uniformly wrong.
Johnson had quipped he may return to his Louisiana hometown of Shreveport to start a lawn care company if the Republicans lost power. Rivals seek to replace him.
Republicans may be anxious during the post-election lame-duck sprint to accomplish as much as possible in their remaining weeks in power. But hopes for another GOP-only priority package like their big tax breaks and spending cuts bill seem dim as defeated lawmakers prepare to go home at the end of the year.
Conservatives have also eyed the opportunity for Trump to nominate another justice to the Supreme Court while Senate Republicans still hold a majority. However, no current justice has announced any intent to step aside.
And the government could be headed toward a federal shutdown next month if Congress fails to pass a funding bill to keep operations running.
In the weeks ahead, the parties will hold internal leadership elections as members-elect arrive for freshman orientation at the Capitol.
The House will choose its speaker as one of the first votes when the new Congress convenes.
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