The left-wing “Squad” of Democratic socialists nearly doubled their number in Congress following Tuesday’s midterm elections, and that’s likely going to be a problem for Hakeem Jeffries after he takes over the speakership from Mike Johnson.
Democrats easily bested Republicans to win control of the House, but analysts say problems for Jeffries will begin in January, when he takes the Speaker’s gavel and tries to balance the left-wing agenda of the DSA faction of his party with more reasonable voices.
Fox News anchors Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier discussed the situation Tuesday evening with guests as the Democrat majority in the House continued to grow.
Democrats captured both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, ending Republican control and dramatically reshaping Washington for President Donald Trump’s final two years.
The party cleared the 218-seat threshold needed for a House majority while simultaneously winning enough Republican-held Senate seats to seize the upper chamber.
The victories came after Republicans entered Election Day holding narrow 218-214 House and 53-47 Senate advantages.
Democrats needed a net gain of four Senate seats but ultimately broke through in several states Trump carried during the 2024 presidential election.
Democratic candidates flipped Republican-held Senate seats in Maine, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Democrats also successfully defended open Senate seats in Michigan and New Hampshire, denying Republicans two of their most important pickup opportunities.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the race to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters.
Democrat Josh Turek also flipped Iowa’s Republican-held Senate seat, defeating Rep. Ashley Hinson in a state Trump comfortably carried two years earlier.
South Carolina produced another striking Democratic pickup, with the party winning a Senate seat in the traditionally Republican state.
However, the final size of the Democratic Senate majority remained unsettled early Wednesday as votes continued being counted in additional Republican-held states.
Mississippi’s contest between Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Scott Colom remained too close to call early Wednesday.
Alaska’s Senate contest between Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola also remained unresolved as ballots continued being tabulated.
The House produced an equally consequential shift after Democrats erased the GOP’s razor-thin majority and surpassed the 218 seats required for control.
Fox News’ results page showed Democrats with 225 House victories by early Wednesday, including 25 flipped seats, while numerous contests remained outstanding.
The eventual Democratic majority could therefore grow as slower-counting states continue processing ballots.
Several Democratic victories came in districts that Trump carried in 2024, underscoring the movement toward Democrats compared with the presidential election.
Republicans did preserve some important seats, including House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Louisiana district and several closely watched Texas districts.
But those victories were not enough to prevent Democrats from winning control of the chamber.
The results will dramatically alter the balance of power when the new Congress convenes in January.
Democratic control of the House gives the party authority over committees, investigations, subpoenas and the legislative calendar.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become speaker when Democrats organize the new chamber, potentially making history as the first Black House speaker.
Senate control gives Democrats substantial influence over Trump’s remaining nominations while allowing them to determine which legislation reaches the floor.
Trump will retain his presidential veto, giving Republicans an important check against Democratic legislation unless Congress can assemble the two-thirds majorities necessary for an override.
Democrats are also expected to use congressional investigative powers to scrutinize the Trump administration, with potential inquiries into administration policies and presidential finances.
Trump congratulated Democrats following their victories but disputed the argument that Tuesday’s results amounted to a personal rejection of his presidency.
Economic concerns appeared prominently in voters’ decisions, with Reuters reporting that nearly nine in ten voters considered the cost of living a major factor.
Republicans now face the prospect of divided government after controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress during Trump’s first two years back in office.
