Democrats have taken control of Congress after a series of closely watched swing races turned in their favor, giving President Donald Trump a powerful congressional check during the final two years of his presidency.
The shift puts Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, members of his family and his closest advisers under renewed scrutiny now that Democrats control congressional subpoena power.
Democratic lawmakers are expected to pursue investigations into alleged corruption across the administration and matters involving Trump personally, while also weighing the possibility of opening a third impeachment inquiry.
Incoming House Oversight Committee chairman Robert Garcia delivered a pointed message after the results emerged: “Lawyer up.”
Trump’s final two years in office are now likely to be marked by fierce political conflict, including legislative gridlock, clashes over government spending and the prospect of additional shutdowns in Washington.
In the Senate, Democrats defeated Republican incumbents in South Carolina, Maine, Kansas and Ohio.
The defeated Republicans included Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Roger Marshall of Kansas. In Ohio, Sherrod Brown unseated Jon Husted despite a late campaign blitz featuring rallies by Trump and JD Vance.
In the House, early Democratic victories in North Carolina, New Jersey and Pennsylvania fueled the party’s comeback. The results reflected broad dissatisfaction with Trump and growing concern over the rising cost of living.
Democrats needed to capture only three Republican-held seats to seize control, with the GOP entering Election Day holding a narrow 218-212 advantage.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, members of his family and his closest advisers now face renewed scrutiny with Democrats back in control of congressional subpoena power
The outcome ends two years of unified Republican control in Washington and gives Democrats the authority to summon senior Trump administration officials before Congress for sworn testimony and often-contentious questioning.
Hakeem Jeffries is expected to lead the Democratic caucus as speaker and oversee the broad range of investigations likely to follow.
In New Jersey, Democrat Rebecca Bennett defeated Republican Tom Kean. Kean was away from his congressional duties for nearly four months earlier in 2026, from March through June.
After returning, Kean disclosed that he had been hospitalized and diagnosed with depression, saying he had sought treatment. However, constituents continued to question the lack of transparency surrounding his absence while he remained on the taxpayer-funded payroll.
Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race
Kean did not publicly explain his absence until a June 30 speech on the House floor, when he said he had been hospitalized and treated for depression. Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive, was a first-time candidate who emerged from a four-way primary.
In Virginia, Democrat Elaine Luria reclaimed the state’s 2nd Congressional District by defeating Republican Representative Jen Kiggans in the third contest between the two candidates in eight years.
Kiggans defeated Luria by a 52-48 margin in 2022 and won reelection two years later with 50.7 percent of the vote.
South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews receives an update on the election results from her campaign team while waiting with family before her victory
Republicans also lost several House seats in North Carolina, where former Governor Roy Cooper delivered a strong performance in the Senate race.
Democrats captured the 11th Congressional District after Republican Representative Chuck Edwards ended his reelection campaign amid allegations that he had sexually harassed staff members.
Democrat Jamie Ager, a farmer and businessman, defeated Republican state Representative Jennifer Balkcom.
Freshman Republican Addison McDowell also lost his reelection bid, while Democratic candidates unseated National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Richard Hudson.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti defeated first-term Republican Representative Rob Bresnahan, who had won the district in 2024 by unseating six-term Democrat Matt Cartwright.
Democrats made Bresnahan’s stock trading a central issue in the campaign.
Janelle Stelson, a former central Pennsylvania television anchor, defeated Scott Perry, a former chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Perry had held on to the seat in 2024 by slightly more than one percentage point.
With their new authority, Democrats are expected to investigate senior Trump administration officials and members of the president’s family. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are reportedly among the potential targets.
In New York, Republican Mike Lawler conceded his race in the 17th Congressional District. The district had previously supported him but backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Lawler was defeated by Democrat Cait Conley.
Latin Grammy-winning Tejano singer Bobby Pulido defeated Republican Representative Monica De La Cruz in a region that had shifted sharply toward Trump.
In Ohio, Democrat Don Leonard also defeated Republican Mike Carey in a contest that had been expected to favor the GOP candidate.
