Republicans Demand Trump Change Course After Midterm Election Defeats

US President Donald Trump faced pressure from Republicans on Wednesday to change course after sweeping defeats in the midterm elections that gave Democrats control of Congress, alongside voters' rejection of candidates he personally chose for key races.

With his presidency entering its final two years, Trump allies and strategists called for drastic changes to the White House staff, a restoration of discipline, and an abandonment of policies they blamed for these losses, including the war with Iran and tariffs.

Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the results as a "massive disaster" for Trump. He said: "He needs to conduct a comprehensive purge. With every day from now on, his position will become weaker and weaker."

But Trump showed little indication that he viewed the election result as warranting a change in direction.

He told Fox News late Tuesday: "I don't consider it a blow directed at me."

Democrats will now have the power to block Trump's legislation, investigate his administration's performance, and challenge his nominees.

This is expected to push Trump, who already uses executive authority excessively, toward greater reliance on actions he can take unilaterally.

He will also have to decide whether to continue focusing on an agenda that some Republicans fear has become a political burden, particularly for potential successors looking to run for the White House in 2028.

J.D. Vance, Trump's vice president, who is seen as a likely political heir, appeared to put some distance between himself and the president on Wednesday by blaming the war with Iran for the midterm election losses.

Strategists and party officials said such stances could be repeated if Republicans conclude that Trump's long-standing influence over party voters is waning.

Preparations for investigations and staff changes inside the White House

According to a senior official, top aides are bracing for staff departures and potential administrative changes, alongside investigations expected to be demanded by Democrats. The official said: "Morale is at its lowest ever."

The official explained that internal polls warned six weeks before the election that Republicans were heading for losses in both the House and Senate, but Trump refused to change course regarding Iran despite warnings about the political consequences.

The official said: "Ultimately, he didn't care at all. He refused to listen to anyone."

Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the war started with Iran eight months ago had hurt Republican candidates, but he defended his decision to launch the conflict.

Republican concerns extended beyond the war.

A Republican political consultant said that in focus groups centered on tight Senate races in areas like Michigan and Iowa, national Republican consultants' anxiety escalated this summer as more Republican and independent voters expressed opposition to the president's focus on matters such as the White House ballroom and renovation work in Washington.

The consultant added: "If Trump spends the next two years talking about these same trivialities, we will suffer a crushing defeat again in the next election."

Amid all this, Trump gathered journalists on Wednesday for a visit to the ballroom construction site and defended the time he devoted to this project.

He said, "For me, this is a source of comfort."

The White House also adopted a defiant tone, posting an image of Trump on social media accompanied by the message: "Alert to everyone: Trump is still your president."

Trump still retains significant power. Reuters previously reported that the White House spent months preparing executive measures related to immigration, tariffs, housing, and federal spending, which could allow him to advance aspects of his agenda despite any Democratic opposition.

But executive authority will not be able to protect the administration from congressional investigations.