Trump says he is open to working with Democrats but keeps his veto
Democrats have won at least 253 House and 54 Senate seats, Al Jazeera reports, but lack the two-thirds needed to override a presidential veto.
Democrats won Tuesday's elections and, for the first time in Trump's two stints as president, Republicans lost control of both chambers of . With a handful of seats uncounted, Al Jazeera reports Democrats have secured at least 253 of 435 House seats and at least 54 of 100 seats. In a phone interview with Politico that night, Trump said Democrats had already called and want to work with him.
He said he has the right to veto everything but does not want to spend two years only vetoing. Congress can override a veto only with a two-thirds majority, which Democrats do not have in either chamber. Trump has vetoed twice this term and ten times in his first.
Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed said he could work with Trump, and Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would not rule out Trump signing for All legislation if Democrats get it through both chambers. Rep. Robert Garcia, set to chair Oversight Committee, posted "LAWYER UP" and Sen. Ron Wyden posted "." On Wednesday, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said that if Democrats pursue "sham investigations and radical left policies," they are choosing to work against the American people.
- at least 253 seats out of 435House seats Democrats have securedAl Jazeera English
- at least 54 out of 100Senate seats Democrats have wonAl Jazeera English
- two-thirds majorityneeded in Congress to override a vetoAl Jazeera English
- twicetimes Trump has used the veto this termAl Jazeera English
- 292 executive orderssigned by Trump since January 2025, per the Federal RegisterAl Jazeera English
Three sides of the story
Liberal2 outlets
Divided government: what Democrats can and cannot do
Al Jazeera English opens with Trump's late-night call to Politico, in which he said Democrats "want to work with me" while he keeps the veto. It says he may pick and choose between vetoing and making deals. It quotes University College London lecturer Andrew Proctor, who expects "a decent amount of gridlock" and says Senate Republicans will probably try a .
El-Sayed and Sanders speak about possible common ground on Medicare for All. It also reports Garcia's "LAWYER UP," Wyden's "Subpoenas," the White House answer from Bis, and reports that proceedings against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war might be imminent.
A second Al Jazeera piece asks what Democrats can change about Trump's decisions and policies. NPR's headline says the economy propelled Democrats to victory, tying it to the cost of living and gas prices, and asks what they can do in divided government. NPR also has historian Anne Applebaum on what a Democratic Congress could change in foreign policy.
- Al Jazeera English: Veto or deals: Can Trump find a way to work with Democrats?
- NPR: The economy propelled Democrats to victory. What can they actually do about it?
- Al Jazeera English: What can Democrats do in Congress under President Trump?
- NPR: Three ways Democrats could reshape U.S. foreign policy after the midterms
Center1 outlet
Whether tariff policy changes after Democratic wins
Forbes asks whether a Democratic Congress will undo Trump's tariffs. It reports that polling suggests unhappiness with his tariff agenda influenced midterm votes, but says it is unclear how much Democrats will change trade policy.
Conservative0 outlets
Outlets on the right gave the story little coverage.
Which side made the stronger case?
We will email you when the story continues. At most one email a day.
All sources: 6 articles from 3 outlets
Liberal (5)
- Al Jazeera English: Veto or deals: Can Trump find a way to work with Democrats?
- Al Jazeera English: What can Democrats do in Congress under President Trump?
- NPR: The economy propelled Democrats to victory. What can they actually do about it?
- NPR: Democrats will control Congress. Will it change Trump's approach to foreign policy?
- NPR: Three ways Democrats could reshape U.S. foreign policy after the midterms
Center (1)
The evening briefing by email
One email a day, around 8:30 p.m. New York time: the seven main stories, each with its three sides, and the blind spot of the day. Unsubscribe with one tap.
A Telegram channel is coming soon.