Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 5: US President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure from within the Republican Party to change course following the party's crushing defeat in the midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress and saw several Trump-backed candidates lose key races.
Republican allies and political strategists have called on Trump to overhaul his White House team, restore discipline and reconsider policies they believe contributed to the electoral setback, particularly the eight-month-old war with Iran and his tariff measures.
Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the outcome as a "huge disaster" for Trump and urged him to make sweeping changes in his administration.
"He needs to clean house," Feehery said, warning that Trump's political influence could weaken as his presidency enters its final years.
Trump, however, showed little indication that he considered the election results a personal setback or a reason to change his agenda. "I don't view it as a hit on me," he told Fox News late on Tuesday.
The Democratic victory gives the party the power to block Trump's legislative proposals, scrutinise his administration through congressional investigations and challenge his nominees. The setback is expected to make it more difficult for the president to advance his agenda through Congress and could push him towards greater reliance on executive action.
Vice President JD Vance appeared to distance himself from Trump's position on Wednesday, identifying the Iran war as a major reason for the Republican defeat. His remarks have added to questions about divisions within the party and the political positioning of potential Republican contenders ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Inside the White House, senior aides are reportedly preparing for possible staff departures, Cabinet changes and a series of investigations by the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The official said internal polling conducted six weeks before the election had indicated that Republicans were heading towards losses in both chambers. However, Trump reportedly refused to change course on Iran despite warnings about the possible political consequences.
Trump acknowledged that the eight-month-old conflict had hurt Republican candidates but defended his decision to launch the war.
Concerns among Republicans also extend beyond foreign policy. Political advisers involved in competitive Senate races in states such as Michigan and Iowa reportedly found growing opposition among Republican and independent voters to Trump's focus on the proposed White House ballroom and renovation projects in Washington.
Despite the criticism, Trump defended the ballroom project during an impromptu visit to its construction site on Wednesday, saying that the work was relaxing for him.
The White House also adopted a defiant tone, posting a photograph of Trump on social media with the message: "PSA: TRUMP IS STILL YOUR PRESIDENT."
Despite losing congressional support, Trump retains considerable executive authority. His administration has reportedly spent months preparing executive measures on immigration, tariffs, housing and federal spending to advance parts of its agenda despite Democratic opposition.
However, executive powers may not protect the administration from congressional investigations once Democrats take control. The prospect of extensive probes has become a major concern among White House aides, with one official saying that nobody wanted to deal with the investigations.