File Picture
In a result that is widely seen as a stern rebuke to US President Donald Trump almost two years into his polarizing, rollercoaster presidency, his arch- rivals Democrats seized control of the lower house of Congress in midterm elections .
Fox and NBC television networks called the result in the US House of Representatives, while confirming expectations that Trump’s Republicans will retain control of the Senate, reported AFP.
The result upends the balance of power in Washington, where Trump has enjoyed an easy ride from Republican dominance of both houses of Congress since his shock election in 2016.
Democrats will now be able to block legislation and light a fire under Trump’s feet with investigations of his opaque finances and Russian interference in his 2016 election, and possibly push for impeachment.
The verdicts in the House and Senate were based on incomplete results as vote counting continued across the country and some states were still voting in a congressional election cast as an unofficial referendum on Trump.
Giddy predictions by Democrats of a so-called “blue wave” landslide in the House were still premature, even if a majority appeared guaranteed.
Trump was watching the results roll in from the White House, where he spent the day holed up with friends and family.
Americans voted enthusiastically, with long lines quickly forming at polling stations from New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump declared election results a “tremendous success” for Republicans as his party maintained its hold on the Senate while Democrats picked up GOP-held seats in the House. He tweeted
Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018
