The Mayor of London has welcomed the Democrats' success in the US midterm elections, describing their campaign as a "true rejection of the damaging and divisive politics of Donald Trump".
Lord Sadiq Khan, who has repeatedly clashed with the US president, said the Democrats had won over voters with their "focus on hope, unity and supporting families with the cost of living".
Democrats seize control of Congress
The party secured control of Congress in what one leading Democrat called an "enormous night", winning both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Trump was not on the ballot for the November 3 election but had led the Republicans' campaign.
Responding to the results, Lord Khan posted on X: "Congratulations to Democrats on a huge victory last night. With a focus on hope, unity and supporting families with the cost of living - their campaign was a true rejection of the damaging and divisive politics of Donald Trump."
UK Government pledges to maintain ties
Health minister James Frith said 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 work with Trump, Mr Frith said: "Well, it will maintain its excellent relationship." He stressed that the Prime Minister had already had constructive engagements with Trump when visiting the White House and in phone calls. "That won't change," he added. "The mainstay of the relationship with the UK Government, as its closest ally, is unwavering and unchanging."
Historic defeats for Republicans
The Democrats inflicted a string of historic defeats on the Republicans, winning 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 party also regained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2023, flipping numerous seats in states including Kentucky, New Jersey, Indiana and North Carolina. The midterms were seen as a referendum on the controversial Republican president.
Trump reacts to crushing losses
In response, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!" Speaking to Fox News, he 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, saying: "They did a good job. They worked very hard." However, he 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 control on Capitol Hill, Trump faces a frustrated domestic agenda and the threat of investigations into his administration's conduct, though he retains executive authority in key areas such as foreign policy.
