<p>Dozens of military veterans from both parties won seats in Congress on Tuesday (Nov 3), in a midterm election that gave Democrats control of the House and Senate. The new majority will take over committees that oversee the Pentagon, write the annual defence policy bill and question military leaders under oath. Committee assignments become official when the new Congress organises in January.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>News agency Associated Press called the Senate for Democrats late Tuesday after Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson for Iowa's open seat, vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst. A call went to the House for Democrats as well.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, an Army veteran who won reelection, is in line to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee, now led by Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, an Air Force veteran.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Notable veteran wins</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Navy veteran Elaine Luria reclaimed Virginia's 2nd District from fellow Navy veteran Rep. Jen Kiggans in a rematch. Army veteran Fred Wellman unseated Rep. Ann Wagner in Missouri's 2nd District, and Navy veteran Zach Dembo won Kentucky's 6th.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rebecca Bennett, a Navy and Air National Guard veteran, won a competitive New Jersey district. In New York's 17th, Democrat Cait Conley, a former Army officer with three Bronze Stars, defeated Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who conceded Tuesday night.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Republican veteran Chris McGowan kept Iowa's 4th District in Republican hands, citing Iowa Public Radio and Decision Desk HQ. Army veterans Jack Reed and Tom Cotton were re-elected in Rhode Island and Arkansas, Army Reserve veteran Ed Markey won in Massachusetts, and Army National Guard veteran Barry Moore won Alabama's open Senate seat.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The veterans' group With Honour counted 258 veterans on congressional ballots, 227 for the House and 31 for the Senate.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Races still open</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In South Carolina's 1st District, retired Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, fired by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, held a narrow lead with nearly all votes counted. Her campaign said she had won after a potential recount faded, but the outlet said some news organisations had not called the race, so its tally treats it as uncalled. In Texas' 22nd, Trever Nehls led with about 96% of the estimated vote counted in the race to succeed his twin brother, Rep. Troy Nehls.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Retirements and losses</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Nebraska's 2nd District, held by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Don Bacon was flipped to Democrat Denise Powell, per the AP. In Montana, Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead lost the open Senate race to Republican Kurt Alme in a three-way contest that included independent Seth Bodnar, a former Green Beret. About one in six members of the outgoing Congress served in uniform. Results remain unofficial until states announce them.</p>

Dozens of military veterans won seats in the 2026 midterm elections, powering a Democratic takeover of the US House and Senate and reshaping congressional defence oversight.

Dozens of military veterans from both parties won seats in Congress on Tuesday (Nov 3), in a midterm election that gave Democrats control of the House and Senate. The new majority will take over committees that oversee the Pentagon, write the annual defence policy bill and question military leaders under oath. Committee assignments become official when the new Congress organises in January. News agency Associated Press called the Senate for Democrats late Tuesday after Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson for Iowa's open seat, vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst. A call went to the House for Democrats as well. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, an Army veteran who won reelection, is in line to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee, now led by Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, an Air Force veteran. Notable veteran wins Navy veteran Elaine Luria reclaimed Virginia's 2nd District from fellow Navy veteran Rep. Jen Kiggans in a rematch. Army veteran Fred Wellman unseated Rep. Ann Wagner in Missouri's 2nd District, and Navy veteran Zach Dembo won Kentucky's 6th. Rebecca Bennett, a Navy and Air National Guard veteran, won a competitive New Jersey district. In New York's 17th, Democrat Cait Conley, a former Army officer with three Bronze Stars, defeated Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who conceded Tuesday night. Republican veteran Chris McGowan kept Iowa's 4th District in Republican hands, citing Iowa Public Radio and Decision Desk HQ. Army veterans Jack Reed and Tom Cotton were re-elected in Rhode Island and Arkansas, Army Reserve veteran Ed Markey won in Massachusetts, and Army National Guard veteran Barry Moore won Alabama's open Senate seat. The veterans' group With Honour counted 258 veterans on congressional ballots, 227 for the House and 31 for the Senate. Races still open In South Carolina's 1st District, retired Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, fired by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, held a narrow lead with nearly all votes counted. Her campaign said she had won after a potential recount faded, but the outlet said some news organisations had not called the race, so its tally treats it as uncalled. In Texas' 22nd, Trever Nehls led with about 96% of the estimated vote counted in the race to succeed his twin brother, Rep. Troy Nehls. Retirements and losses Nebraska's 2nd District, held by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Don Bacon was flipped to Democrat Denise Powell, per the AP. In Montana, Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead lost the open Senate race to Republican Kurt Alme in a three-way contest that included independent Seth Bodnar, a former Green Beret. About one in six members of the outgoing Congress served in uniform. Results remain unofficial until states announce them.

<p>South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews and Democratic Congressional candidate Nancy Lacore.</p>

US midterm blue wave: Veteran wins power Democratic takeover of defence oversight

<p>Iran’s Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei on Wednesday credited his nation for the defeat of the Republican Party in the US midterm elections and said that Tehran has handed President Donald Trump a “political defeat” in Washington after “strategic defeats” in the battlefield and Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Rezaei, who is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council,&nbsp;rubbed salt into the wounds as Trump’s party fared miserably in the US midterm elections and the Democratic Party seized control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“The Iranian nation handed Trump a strategic defeat on the battlefield and in the Hormuz—and a POLITICAL DEFEAT in Washington,” Rezaei said in a post on X.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He added that the American people were bearing the brunt of the financial burden of Trump’s war on Iran.</p><p>“Anyone who takes on Iran will pay the price—from the battlefield to their own doorstep,” he warned.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Iranian nation handed Trump a strategic defeat on the battlefield and in the Hormuz—and a POLITICAL DEFEAT in Washington. Meanwhile, Americans got stuck with the bill for his war.
Anyone who takes on Iran will pay the price—from the battlefield to their own doorstep.</p>&mdash; محسن رضایی (@ir_rezaee) <a href="https://x.com/ir_rezaee/status/2118021156846678139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The midterm election results saw Democrats take control of the US Congress.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>‘US hostility will persist regardless of midterm results,’ says Khamenei</strong></h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Wednesday that Washington’s policy towards Tehran will not shift even though the midterms dealt a blow to Trump.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Those who still harbour even the slightest hope that the behaviour of the hegemonic system might change through partisan or factional shifts, or who imagine that making concessions to the United States can dissuade it from hostility towards the Iranian nation, are seriously mistaken,” Khamenei said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Should such aggressions be repeated, the war’s scope will become much wider,” Khamenei added.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Khamenei urged his people not to treat the result as a sign that US policy towards Iran is about to soften.</p><p>“Nov. 4 this year, Iranians understand their stance toward the criminal US more clearly and unequivocally than ever before. Nevertheless, reviewing the reasons for the US’s hostility, and the Iranian nation;s firm resistance to them, serves as a guiding light for the path ahead,” he wrote on the social media platform X.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>‘More rapid decline of the Great Satan’s domination’</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“The Great Satan [the US] wants the surrender of the Iranian nation. The slightest inclination toward submission would cause the immense capital acquired through the blessings brought by the blood of our martyrs and the sacrifices of the entire Iranian nation to be lost.” Khamenei said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s our hope that, by God’s grace and through the prayers of our Master [Imam Mahdi], the Iranian nation will soon experience victory, prosperity, and comprehensive progress, and the stage will be set for an ever-deepening, more rapid decline of the Great Satan’s domination.</p>&mdash; Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (@MKhamenei_ir) <a href="https://x.com/MKhamenei_ir/status/2117975652351541657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p><p> </p><p>“It’s our hope that, by God’s grace and through the prayers of our Master [Imam Mahdi], the Iranian nation will soon experience victory, prosperity, and comprehensive progress, and the stage will be set for an ever-deepening, more rapid decline of the Great Satan’s domination,” Mojtaba added.</p><p> </p><p>US Vice President JD Vance also acknowledged that the Iran war contributed to the Republican losses in the midterm elections. In a social media post on X, he wrote that "the reason we lost is the war", as voter dissatisfaction and economic impacts drove supporters toward Democrats.</p>

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Wednesday that Washington’s policy towards Tehran will not shift even though the midterms dealt a blow to Trump. Khamenei urged his people not to treat the result as a sign that US policy towards Iran is about to soften.

Iran’s Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei on Wednesday credited his nation for the defeat of the Republican Party in the US midterm elections and said that Tehran has handed President Donald Trump a “political defeat” in Washington after “strategic defeats” in the battlefield and Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei, who is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, rubbed salt into the wounds as Trump’s party fared miserably in the US midterm elections and the Democratic Party seized control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. “The Iranian nation handed Trump a strategic defeat on the battlefield and in the Hormuz—and a POLITICAL DEFEAT in Washington,” Rezaei said in a post on X. He added that the American people were bearing the brunt of the financial burden of Trump’s war on Iran. “Anyone who takes on Iran will pay the price—from the battlefield to their own doorstep,” he warned.

<p>Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Wednesday that Washington’s policy towards Tehran will not shift even though the midterms dealt a blow to Trump. Khamenei urged his people not to treat the result as a sign that US policy towards Iran is about to soften.</p>

‘Iran handed Trump political defeat after strategic ones,’ says security chief Mohsen Rezaei

<p>The midterm power shift in Washington was headlined by major upsets for Republicans and big wins for Democrats. The elections also witnessed a series of historic firsts across America, with several candidates breaking barriers in state and national politics.</p><p>To begin with, 41-year-old Indian-origin billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy lost to Amy Acton in the Ohio governor's race. Ramaswamy enjoyed the staunch backing of US President Donald Trump. Acton managed to pull through despite being targeted by an advertisement that brought up her childhood trauma.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/gravitas/britain-s-doomsday-warning-ai-hackers-could-knock-out-uk-power-water-by-2028-cyber-agency-warns-gravitas-1793728275592"><strong>Britain's doomsday warning: AI hackers could knock out UK power, water by 2028, cyber agency warns | Gravitas</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Texas, South Carolina deliver major setbacks for Republicans</strong></h2><p>In another stunning upset, three-term Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott lost the election, ending his party's three-decade hold on the governor's office. Democrat Gina Hinojosa created history as the first Hispanic elected to lead the state.</p><p>In another embarrassment for Trump, Republicans failed to retain the seat left vacant by the demise of his close aide, Lindsey Graham, in South Carolina. Although Graham's sister, Darline Graham, was contesting the election, she was defeated by Democratic Party candidate Annie Andrews.</p><p>In Georgia, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Trump-endorsed Republican Rick Jackson. Bottoms, who served in the Biden administration, is projected to become the first Black woman elected governor in US history. She will also be the state's first female governor.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/gravitas/cocaine-king-creates-a-narco-state-in-africa-gravitas-1793814912142"><strong>Cocaine king creates a narco state in Africa | Gravitas</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Senate races produce historic firsts</strong></h2><p>In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas secured a crucial Democratic-held seat. He is set to become the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.</p><p>Florida is also set for a historic milestone, with Republican Byron Donalds projected to become the state's first Black governor. A strong Trump ally, Donalds campaigned on tax reforms, data centre regulation and advancing the president's agenda.</p><p>Meanwhile, Aber Kawas won a New York state Senate seat, becoming the first Palestinian American and hijab-wearing woman elected to the state legislature. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.</p><p>In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed created history by becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.</p><p>All eyes were on this contest after Trump personally attacked El-Sayed on the campaign trail, mocked his name and even called him a "jihadist".</p><p>The son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Sayed campaigned on healthcare access, economic affordability and political reform.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterms-2026-democrat-abdul-el-sayed-creates-history-1793811552659/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterms-2026-democrat-abdul-el-sayed-creates-history-1793811552659/embed</a></p><h2><strong>Abdul El-Sayed's victory brings an unexpected India connection</strong></h2><p>El-Sayed's victory has also brought an unexpected India connection into the spotlight. His wife, Dr Sarah Jukaku, belongs to a family with deep ancestral roots in Karnataka's coastal town of Bhatkal. She is the daughter of neurologist Dr Tayeb Jukaku, who moved to the US in the 1980s.</p><p>According to reports, Sarah Jukaku and El-Sayed have a particular fondness for traditional Bhatkali cuisine. Her last visit to Bhatkal was around seven years ago.</p><p>On the campaign trail, El-Sayed also spoke about his association with South Indian family traditions, reflecting the cultural influence of his wife's background.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

US midterm elections witness major political upsets and historic firsts, with Democrats making gains in key races. From Abdul El-Sayed's Senate victory to Aber Kawas entering the New York state legislature, historic firsts you must know.

The midterm power shift in Washington was headlined by major upsets for Republicans and big wins for Democrats. The elections also witnessed a series of historic firsts across America, with several candidates breaking barriers in state and national politics. To begin with, 41-year-old Indian-origin billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy lost to Amy Acton in the Ohio governor's race. Ramaswamy enjoyed the staunch backing of US President Donald Trump. Acton managed to pull through despite being targeted by an advertisement that brought up her childhood trauma. Also read | Britain's doomsday warning: AI hackers could knock out UK power, water by 2028, cyber agency warns | Gravitas Texas, South Carolina deliver major setbacks for Republicans In another stunning upset, three-term Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott lost the election, ending his party's three-decade hold on the governor's office. Democrat Gina Hinojosa created history as the first Hispanic elected to lead the state. In another embarrassment for Trump, Republicans failed to retain the seat left vacant by the demise of his close aide, Lindsey Graham, in South Carolina. Although Graham's sister, Darline Graham, was contesting the election, she was defeated by Democratic Party candidate Annie Andrews. In Georgia, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Trump-endorsed Republican Rick Jackson. Bottoms, who served in the Biden administration, is projected to become the first Black woman elected governor in US history. She will also be the state's first female governor. Also read | Cocaine king creates a narco state in Africa | Gravitas Senate races produce historic firsts In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas secured a crucial Democratic-held seat. He is set to become the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate. Florida is also set for a historic milestone, with Republican Byron Donalds projected to become the state's first Black governor. A strong Trump ally, Donalds campaigned on tax reforms, data centre regulation and advancing the president's agenda. Meanwhile, Aber Kawas won a New York state Senate seat, becoming the first Palestinian American and hijab-wearing woman elected to the state legislature. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed created history by becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. All eyes were on this contest after Trump personally attacked El-Sayed on the campaign trail, mocked his name and even called him a "jihadist". The son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Sayed campaigned on healthcare access, economic affordability and political reform.

<p>US midterm elections witness major political upsets and historic firsts, with Democrats making gains in key races. From Abdul El-Sayed's Senate victory to Aber Kawas entering the New York state legislature, historic firsts you must know.</p>

US midterm elections: Major Republican upsets, historic firsts and an unexpected India connection | Gravitas

<p>US Vice-President JD Vance on Wednesday blamed the Iran war and Washington’s relationship with Israel for the Republican Party’s drubbing in the midterm elections and said many voters who backed Donald Trump in 2024 switched sides in protest against the administration’s policies.</p><p>Vance wrote a lengthy post on X after Democrats swept both chambers of Congress in a historic midterm victory and said the Republicans did not suffer because their supporters stayed away from polling stations but because a significant number of people who voted for the Trump-Vance ticket in the 2024 presidential election turned against the party in the November 3 midterms.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pointing to the results of internal polling, Vance identified four major reasons behind the voter backlash: the Iran war, rising living costs, concerns over the administration’s commitment to its ‘America First’ agenda and dissatisfaction with Washington’s relationship with Israel.</p><p>Vance wrote, “The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,” in one of the clearest acknowledgements from within the Trump administration that the Iran conflict became a political liability for Republicans.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Voters turned against us: VP</strong></h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Vance said Republican data analysts had spent considerable time studying the composition of the electorate to determine whether the voters turning out resembled those who supported Trump in 2024.</p><p>Internal assessments suggested that Republican supporters were turning out in sufficient numbers, but Vance said that one data analyst he consulted warned him that strong turnout did not necessarily translate into votes for Republican candidates.</p><p>Vance recalled the analyst telling him, “We might do better than the polls suggest. But the data is telling us that a lot of Trump/Vance 2024 voters are pissed and planning to vote for the other guys. Our voters are turning out, but they may not vote for us.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026,” he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>War turned out to be </strong>the biggest<strong> liability: Vance</strong></h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Vance further said that one pollster had predicted that Republicans would lose the generic ballot by 13 percentage points. The generic ballot measures voters’ preferences for which party they want to control Congress.</p><p>The pollster specifically questioned voters who supported Trump in 2024 but were planning to vote Democratic in the midterms, and they listed four issues that could persuade them to return to the Republican camp.</p><p>The first was an end to the war. The second was greater focus on the cost of living and inflation. The third was a renewed commitment to the ‘America First’ agenda, and the last was a change in Washington’s relationship with Israel.</p>

Pointing to the results of internal polling, JD Vance identified four major reasons behind the voter backlash: the Iran war, rising living costs, concerns over the administration’s commitment to its ‘America First’ agenda and dissatisfaction with Washington’s relationship with Israel.

US Vice-President JD Vance on Wednesday blamed the Iran war and Washington’s relationship with Israel for the Republican Party’s drubbing in the midterm elections and said many voters who backed Donald Trump in 2024 switched sides in protest against the administration’s policies. Vance wrote a lengthy post on X after Democrats swept both chambers of Congress in a historic midterm victory and said the Republicans did not suffer because their supporters stayed away from polling stations but because a significant number of people who voted for the Trump-Vance ticket in the 2024 presidential election turned against the party in the November 3 midterms. Pointing to the results of internal polling, Vance identified four major reasons behind the voter backlash: the Iran war, rising living costs, concerns over the administration’s commitment to its ‘America First’ agenda and dissatisfaction with Washington’s relationship with Israel. Vance wrote, “The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,” in one of the clearest acknowledgements from within the Trump administration that the Iran conflict became a political liability for Republicans. Voters turned against us: VP Vance said Republican data analysts had spent considerable time studying the composition of the electorate to determine whether the voters turning out resembled those who supported Trump in 2024. Internal assessments suggested that Republican supporters were turning out in sufficient numbers, but Vance said that one data analyst he consulted warned him that strong turnout did not necessarily translate into votes for Republican candidates. Vance recalled the analyst telling him, “We might do better than the polls suggest. But the data is telling us that a lot of Trump/Vance 2024 voters are pissed and planning to vote for the other guys. Our voters are turning out, but they may not vote for us.” “The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026,” he said. War turned out to be the biggest liability: Vance Vance further said that one pollster had predicted that Republicans would lose the generic ballot by 13 percentage points. The generic ballot measures voters’ preferences for which party they want to control Congress. The pollster specifically questioned voters who supported Trump in 2024 but were planning to vote Democratic in the midterms, and they listed four issues that could persuade them to return to the Republican camp. The first was an end to the war. The second was greater focus on the cost of living and inflation. The third was a renewed commitment to the ‘America First’ agenda, and the last was a change in Washington’s relationship with Israel.

<p>Pointing to the results of internal polling, JD Vance identified four major reasons behind the voter backlash: the Iran war, rising living costs, concerns over the administration’s commitment to its ‘America First’ agenda and dissatisfaction with Washington’s relationship with Israel.</p>

VP JD Vance blames Iran war for Republicans’ crushing defeat in US midterms

<p>Donald Trump promised to make America great again. But as the dust settles on America's midterm elections, a more uncomfortable question emerges: has his America First agenda left Washington increasingly isolated on the world stage?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>From Europe to Asia, Trump's foreign policy has strained longstanding partnerships, disrupted trade relationships and raised questions about America's reliability as a global ally.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Across the Atlantic, disagreements over tariffs, defence spending and security commitments have tested relations with European allies. In Asia, trade tensions have complicated Washington's relationships with key partners, including India.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Trump's sweeping tariffs, aggressive negotiating tactics and extensive use of executive orders have become defining features of his presidency.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Supporters argue these measures protect American interests, strengthen Washington's bargaining position and challenge unfair international arrangements. Critics contend they have damaged diplomatic trust, increased economic uncertainty and weakened America's global standing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Now, with two years remaining in his presidency, Trump faces a different political reality.</p><p>Democrats have secured sweeping midterm victories, taking control of both chambers of Congress and delivering unexpected defeats to Republicans in traditionally conservative territory.</p><p>Trump has congratulated Democrats and expressed willingness to cooperate. Yet his warnings about using presidential veto power suggest that confrontation could remain central to Washington's politics.</p>

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<p>Can Trump rebuild relationships with traditional allies? Will he reconsider his tariff policies and confrontational diplomacy? Or will the remaining years of his presidency bring further political and international disputes?</p><p>For Democrats, electoral success presents an equally significant challenge.</p><p>Congressional oversight and accountability are essential democratic responsibilities. But investigations and political battles alone will not address Americans' concerns about prices, employment, healthcare and the cost of living.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Democrats will have greater congressional authority, but Trump will retain the presidency and substantial executive powers. Meaningful legislative progress may require compromise between political rivals.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The election has changed Washington's balance of power. It has not automatically resolved America's domestic or international challenges.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Trump must decide whether to pursue cooperation or confrontation. Democrats must demonstrate that winning power is not the same as using it.</p><p>Will the next two years be spent repairing relationships and solving problems, or fighting another round of political battles?</p><p>That's The Verdict.</p>

President Trump's sweeping tariffs, aggressive negotiating tactics and extensive use of executive orders became defining features of his presidency. These measures protect US interests and strengthen bargaining position but have damaged diplomatic trust and increased economic uncertainty.

Donald Trump promised to make America great again. But as the dust settles on America's midterm elections, a more uncomfortable question emerges: has his America First agenda left Washington increasingly isolated on the world stage? From Europe to Asia, Trump's foreign policy has strained longstanding partnerships, disrupted trade relationships and raised questions about America's reliability as a global ally. Across the Atlantic, disagreements over tariffs, defence spending and security commitments have tested relations with European allies. In Asia, trade tensions have complicated Washington's relationships with key partners, including India. Trump's sweeping tariffs, aggressive negotiating tactics and extensive use of executive orders have become defining features of his presidency. Supporters argue these measures protect American interests, strengthen Washington's bargaining position and challenge unfair international arrangements. Critics contend they have damaged diplomatic trust, increased economic uncertainty and weakened America's global standing. Now, with two years remaining in his presidency, Trump faces a different political reality. Democrats have secured sweeping midterm victories, taking control of both chambers of Congress and delivering unexpected defeats to Republicans in traditionally conservative territory. Trump has congratulated Democrats and expressed willingness to cooperate. Yet his warnings about using presidential veto power suggest that confrontation could remain central to Washington's politics.

<p>President Trump's sweeping tariffs, aggressive negotiating tactics and extensive use of executive orders became defining features of his presidency. These measures protect US interests and strengthen bargaining position but have damaged diplomatic trust and increased economic uncertainty.</p>

The Verdict | Trump’s final two years: Can he repair America’s fractured global relationships?

<p>For the first time in American history, three Black women will serve in the Senate simultaneously, including Juliana Stratton from Illinois, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland. They are the three Black women who have reached the US Senate through parallel paths in Democratic state politics after winning the 2026 midterm elections.</p><p><br>Stratton won after defeating Republican challenger Don Tracy to succeed retiring five-term Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, whose 30-year tenure in the chamber comes to an end. With her win, Stratton becomes the sixth Black woman ever elected to the US Senate, and only the second from Illinois, after Carol Moseley Braun made a groundbreaking victory in 1992.</p><p><br>Notably, Illinois will also become the first state in US history to be represented by two women of colour in the Senate at the same time, as Stratton joins fellow Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is Asian American. A Chicago native, Stratton began her political career as Illinois’s lieutenant governor in 2019, serving as running mate to Governor JB Pritzker before launching her successful bid for the Senate.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-gina-hinojosa-democrat-who-ousted-greg-abbott-to-become-texas-s-first-latina-governor-1793793884602">Who is Gina Hinojosa? Democrat who ousted Greg Abbott to become Texas's first Latina governor</a></p><h3>Who is Juliana Stratton?</h3><p>Juliana Stratton has been Illinois’s lieutenant governor since 2019, elected twice alongside Governor JB Pritzker, and is the first African-American (and fourth woman) to hold that office. Before that, she served one term in the Illinois House (2017–2019). In 2025, she launched a Senate bid for Dick Durbin’s seat, won the crowded March 2026 Democratic primary over Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and seven others, and is now senator-elect, set to take office in 2027.</p><h3>Who is Lisa Blunt Rochester?</h3><p>Lisa Blunt Rochester has represented Delaware in the Senate since 2025, after eight years (2017–2025) as the state’s sole U.S. House member, making her the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in either chamber. Her political career began working for Senator, later Governor, Tom Carper, and she went on to hold state cabinet roles (deputy secretary of Health and Social Services in 1993, Labour secretary in 1998). She co-chaired Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, and when Carper retired from the Senate, she ran with his backing, clinching the Democratic nomination unopposed and winning the general election.</p><h3>Who is Angela Alsobrooks?</h3><p>Angela Alsobrooks, born in 1971 and a graduate of Duke University and the University of Maryland School of Law, has been Maryland’s junior senator since 2025. She built her career in Prince George’s County government as a domestic-violence prosecutor, state’s attorney (2011–2018), and county executive (2018–2024), becoming the county’s first female and first Black female executive. In 2024, she defeated former Republican Governor Larry Hogan for Durbin’s, sorry, for Maryland’s open Senate seat, becoming the state’s first African-American senator, the third Black woman ever elected to the Senate, and the second woman overall to represent Maryland there, after Barbara Mikulski.<br>&nbsp;</p>

 With her win, Stratton becomes the sixth Black woman ever elected to the US Senate, and only the second from Illinois, after Carol Moseley Braun made a groundbreaking victory in 1992.

For the first time in American history, three Black women will serve in the Senate simultaneously, including Juliana Stratton from Illinois, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland. They are the three Black women who have reached the US Senate through parallel paths in Democratic state politics after winning the 2026 midterm elections. Stratton won after defeating Republican challenger Don Tracy to succeed retiring five-term Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, whose 30-year tenure in the chamber comes to an end. With her win, Stratton becomes the sixth Black woman ever elected to the US Senate, and only the second from Illinois, after Carol Moseley Braun made a groundbreaking victory in 1992. Notably, Illinois will also become the first state in US history to be represented by two women of colour in the Senate at the same time, as Stratton joins fellow Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is Asian American. A Chicago native, Stratton began her political career as Illinois’s lieutenant governor in 2019, serving as running mate to Governor JB Pritzker before launching her successful bid for the Senate. Also read: Who is Gina Hinojosa? Democrat who ousted Greg Abbott to become Texas's first Latina governor Who is Juliana Stratton? Juliana Stratton has been Illinois’s lieutenant governor since 2019, elected twice alongside Governor JB Pritzker, and is the first African-American (and fourth woman) to hold that office. Before that, she served one term in the Illinois House (2017–2019). In 2025, she launched a Senate bid for Dick Durbin’s seat, won the crowded March 2026 Democratic primary over Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and seven others, and is now senator-elect, set to take office in 2027. Who is Lisa Blunt Rochester? Lisa Blunt Rochester has represented Delaware in the Senate since 2025, after eight years (2017–2025) as the state’s sole U.S. House member, making her the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in either chamber. Her political career began working for Senator, later Governor, Tom Carper, and she went on to hold state cabinet roles (deputy secretary of Health and Social Services in 1993, Labour secretary in 1998). She co-chaired Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, and when Carper retired from the Senate, she ran with his backing, clinching the Democratic nomination unopposed and winning the general election. Who is Angela Alsobrooks? Angela Alsobrooks, born in 1971 and a graduate of Duke University and the University of Maryland School of Law, has been Maryland’s junior senator since 2025. She built her career in Prince George’s County government as a domestic-violence prosecutor, state’s attorney (2011–2018), and county executive (2018–2024), becoming the county’s first female and first Black female executive. In 2024, she defeated former Republican Governor Larry Hogan for Durbin’s, sorry, for Maryland’s open Senate seat, becoming the state’s first African-American senator, the third Black woman ever elected to the Senate, and the second woman overall to represent Maryland there, after Barbara Mikulski.

<p>&nbsp;With her win, Stratton becomes the sixth Black woman ever elected to the US Senate, and only the second from Illinois, after Carol Moseley Braun made a groundbreaking victory in 1992.</p>

US midterm elections: Three black women to serve together in senate for first time – Who are they?

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The Verdict | Trump’s final two years: Can he repair US’s fractured global ties?

Three black women to serve together in senate for first time – Who are they?