Democrats have won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the US midterm elections, ending Republican control of Congress and setting up a major political confrontation with President Donald Trump during the rest of his presidency.
The election marks a reversal from 2024, when Trump returned to the White House and Republicans secured a 53-seat Senate majority, ending four years of Democratic control.
With Democrats set to control both chambers of Congress for the first time since 2022, the party will gain greater authority to challenge Trump's policies, scrutinise his administration and block key appointments.
However, the transition will not take place immediately. The newly elected Congress will be sworn in on January 3, leaving Republicans with less than two months of unified control of the federal government.
The current Congress is scheduled to return on November 9, with several legislative matters still pending.
The Democrats' victory gives the party control over the two chambers responsible for passing federal legislation and approving government spending.
While the House and Senate have distinct constitutional responsibilities, both must approve legislation before it can be sent to the president.
Democratic control of Congress will therefore make it more difficult for Trump and Republican lawmakers to advance legislation without negotiating with the opposition.
According to The Guardian, Democrats are preparing a legislative push against the Trump administration, with plans to challenge its policies and pursue their own priorities.
House Democrats have also outlined an ambitious legislative agenda for their first 100 hours in power, which The New York Times described as a "shock-and-awe legislative sprint".
However, passing legislation will remain challenging even with Democratic majorities in both chambers.
Yes. Despite losing Republican control of Congress, Trump will retain his presidential veto power.
Even if Democrats pass legislation through the House and Senate, Trump can reject it.
Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress, meaning Democrats would need Republican support to enact legislation over Trump's objections.
There are also procedural obstacles in the Senate, where most legislation requires the support of 60 senators to advance to a final vote.
These restrictions mean Democratic control of Congress does not automatically guarantee the passage of the party's legislative priorities.
According to The Guardian, efforts to reverse Trump's tariffs or end the US war on Iran would require cooperation from Republican lawmakers.
One of the most significant consequences of the election will be the Democrats' control of the Senate, which has the authority to confirm presidential appointments.
A majority of Senators must approve nominees for positions including cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and federal judges.
With Democrats holding the Senate majority, Trump could face greater difficulty securing confirmation for his preferred candidates.
Democrats could block a nominee selected by Trump to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, limiting his ability to influence the judiciary through new appointments.
According to The Guardian, speculation has emerged that Republicans could attempt to confirm another conservative Supreme Court justice before losing Senate control, should a sitting justice retire.
Control of Congress will also give Democrats expanded investigative authority over the Trump administration.
The House can issue subpoenas compelling individuals to provide documents or appear before congressional committees.
Democrats have indicated plans to investigate Trump's administration and examine possible connections between his presidential authority and his family's business interests.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump's family has expanded its business activities into sectors including cryptocurrency, drones, artificial intelligence and prediction markets over the past two years.
Financial disclosure forms released this year indicate that Trump's personal wealth increased by an estimated $2.2 billion, Al Jazeera reported.
Congressional investigations can proceed without approval from the White House.
Democratic control of the House could open the possibility of another impeachment effort against Trump, although the party remains divided over pursuing such action.
The House can impeach a president through a majority vote, but removal from office requires conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
Trump was impeached twice during his first presidential term, in 2019 and 2021. The Senate acquitted him on both occasions.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has emerged as another possible impeachment target.
Outgoing Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie has already introduced a resolution seeking Hegseth's impeachment over US actions in Iran, Venezuela, Yemen and other locations.
The effort could potentially attract support from lawmakers in both parties.
(With inputs from The Guardian | The New York Times | ABC | Al Jazeera)