Blue wave: Democrats seize both House and Senate in stunning rebuke of Trump

Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, according to calls by AP and the BBC early on Wednesday (Lagos time).

**The numbers (as of about 7am Lagos time):** The Guardian's tally showed Democrats on 53 Senate seats (including two independents), a gain of seven, against 42 for Republicans, with 30 of 35 races called. In the House, Democrats had 221 seats, a net gain of 25, against 129 for Republicans, with 350 of 435 races called. 218 seats are needed for a majority.

**Where it happened:** Democrats flipped Senate seats in Republican strongholds including Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina and South Carolina. The BBC noted Kansas last elected a Democratic senator almost 100 years ago. In Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson won the governor's race, while Abdul El-Sayed declared victory in the Senate contest before it was formally called. Ohio Republican congressman Max Miller lost his seat, and Democrat JD Ford flipped an Indiana district Trump carried by double digits in 2024.

**What it means for Trump:** With Congress in Democratic hands from January, the president faces committee investigations, blocked legislation and a tougher path for his nominees and budget priorities for the final two years of his term. The Guardian described the result as voters rejecting Trump's agenda.

**Still to come:** Several races remain uncalled, so final seat totals will change as counting continues.