Voters have delivered a “seismic shift” in American politics in the US midterms, where Donald Trump was heavily defeated, according to a UK minister. The American president was not standing in the November 3 election, but he had put himself at the helm of the Republicans’ campaign. However, in an “enormous night” for the Democrats, they seized control of Congress, winning both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Government maintains close ties
Health minister James Frith stressed that the UK Government would continue working with the Trump administration. “It looks like an enormous night for American democracy and for the Democrats, and we will see where the final numbers end up,” he told Times Radio. “It looks like a seismic shift in domestic politics for the Americans.”
Pressed on how Andy Burnham’s Government would now work with Trump, Mr Frith added: “Well, it will maintain its excellent relationship.” He stressed that the Prime Minister has already had very constructive engagements with Trump when he visited the White House and in phone calls. “That won't change. The change of emphasis of power in the states is frequent,” he added. “But the mainstay of the relationship with the UK Government, as its closest ally, is unwavering and unchanging. So I don't expect it to change the nature of the relationship at all. It remains very strong.”
Historic defeats for Republicans
In America, Trump faced a wave of criticism after the Democrats inflicted a string of historic defeats against the Republicans to take control of Congress. In a remarkable sweep, the Democrats won Senate seats in the former Republican strongholds of Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, Ohio, Maine and Iowa.
Jon Ossoff, the projected winner in the Georgia Senate race, hailed his win as proof that “the American people have rejected... the failed lame duck president Donald J. Trump”. The Democrats have also regained control of the House of Representatives, which they last held in 2023, having flipped numerous seats in states including Kentucky, New Jersey, Indiana and North Carolina.
Trump reacts to losses
The midterm elections to Congress were seen as a referendum on the controversial Republican president. The Democratic victories represent a major blow to Trump, who had previously urged people to pretend he was on the voting slip. In the face of the crushing losses, the US president posted on his Truth Social platform: “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!”
Democrats needed a net gain of four seats in the 100-member Senate to win a majority, while in the 435-member House, they needed three. Speaking to Fox News, Trump admitted the results had surprised him. “I thought they’d do better, we had tremendous rallies,” he said. “I thought that I could transfer those people into candidates.” He also congratulated the Democrats and said: “They did a good job. They worked very hard.”
Gridlock and veto threats
While offering to work with opponents, Trump had also posted a picture of a red baseball cap emblazoned with the word “Veto”, suggesting he would block legislation they sought to take through Congress. With the Democrats in the driving seat on Capitol Hill, Trump faces having his domestic agenda frustrated as well as the threat of investigations into the conduct of his administration. However, the president still has executive authority in key areas, including foreign policy.
