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US President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure from within his own Republican Party to change course after Democrats' sweeping midterm election gains handed them control of Congress and voters rejected his preferred candidates in key races.
Republican strategists and allies have called on Trump to overhaul his White House team, restore discipline and reconsider policies, particularly the eight-month-old war with Iran and tariffs, which they blamed for the party's electoral setbacks.
Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the results as a “huge disaster” for Trump and urged him to make sweeping changes.
“He needs to clean house,” Reuters cited Feehery saying. “Every day from this point forward, he’s becoming more and more lame.”
Trump, however, showed little indication that he intended to change direction, dismissing suggestions that the election results reflected a rejection of his presidency.
“I don’t view it as a hit on me,” he told Fox News late on Nov 3.
The Democratic takeover will give the party greater power to block Trump's legislative agenda, investigate his administration and challenge his nominees, potentially forcing the president to rely more heavily on executive action during the remaining years of his term.
Vice-President JD Vance, widely viewed as Trump's potential political successor, appeared to distance himself from the president on Nov 4 by blaming the Iran war for the Republican losses.
Republican strategists warned that further divisions could emerge if party members conclude that Trump's influence over Republican voters is weakening, particularly as potential successors position themselves ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Inside the White House, senior aides were bracing for possible staff departures, Cabinet changes and congressional investigations, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The official said internal polling had warned six weeks before the election that Republicans were at risk of losing both chambers of Congress, but Trump refused to change course on Iran despite concerns over the political consequences.
Trump acknowledged on Nov 3 that the war had hurt Republican candidates but defended his decision to launch the conflict.
Republican concerns also extended to Trump's focus on the construction of a White House ballroom and renovations in Washington, which some party advisers said had alienated voters.
Despite the electoral setback, Trump remained defiant, visiting the ballroom construction site on Nov 4 and defending the time devoted to the project.
“For me it’s relaxing,” he said.
The White House also posted a photograph of Trump on social media with the message: “PSA: TRUMP IS STILL YOUR PRESIDENT.”
Although Trump retains significant executive powers, Democratic control of Congress is expected to expose his administration to greater legislative scrutiny, particularly through congressional investigations that executive orders cannot prevent. - November 5, 2026
