Will the blue tsunami sink Trump’s war-ship?
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No to war. That is the message America sent through the midterms. Voters rebuked an unwarranted war and the foreign policy behind it. Don’t take it from the opposition. Vice President JD Vance said it himself: “The reason we lost is the war”. Donald Trump Jr. shared the post and wrote that every word of it was “100% 100% 100%”. Even President Trump called the assessment “largely true". The verdict is clear: Americans did not want the war with Iran. It's not because they support the Iranian regime or its policies, but the people have to bear the brunt of the war. The spiking fuel price, unaffordable living costs and inflation have made them give a shock treatment to President Trump and his party.
The unfulfilled war with Iran has turned out to be a nightmare for Trump. It had already brought down his popularity to a lower level. Vice President Vance himself opposed the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 - not because of his love for Iran, but because he has an eye for the White House in 2028, it is reported. Hence he took a rather moderate approach this time.
What the general mood says is that the US is more supportive of Israel this time in the war in Gaza and in Iran. Domestically, it caused wider economic constraints and finally it burst out in the form of election verdict. Vance is right to say that the relationship with Israel is one of the reasons for the political backlash. The Trump administration failed to convince the people of America of the inevitability of its war with Iran. Under the guise of targeting the military facilities, the US destroyed the civilian infrastructure including a school. The White House tried hard to defend its failure in protecting innocent lives.
On the war front, the US faced unprecedented retaliation and losses. The closure of Strait of Hormuz and the consequent energy crisis eventually isolated the US on the war front. Further, the US bases and installations in the Middle East were badly damaged by Iran causing a loss of billions of dollars apart from the human cost and the super power is still groping in the dark without finding an exit strategy. Democrats on their part exploited this anti war sentiment and the economic burden.
Sensing his unpopularity and growing resentment of the people, Trump made some hasty decisions at the eleventh hour: he announced the US would stop providing four billion dollar annual military assistance to Israel, In fact it was to regain the support of the public who thought the US was too supportive of Israel. But it was too little too late. People had already made up their minds.
On the Israeli side, they are not at all happy with the outcome. Israel’s American dream is over, that's how Haaretz , the left newspaper describes. Though the assessment is a little bit exaggerated, Israel will find it hard to be a most favourite ally of the US.
It's not a blue wave, it's a blue tsunami. That's how the US media described the outcome of the midterm election. The New York Times described it as a forceful rebuke. One newspaper succinctly explains it as DEM DELUGE DRUBS DON. Literally, the Democrats trounced the Republicans and took control of the Congress. Needless to say that this is a historic win for Democrats.
Not alone the war and Israel, the aggressive immigration crackdown, like deportations, has shaken even the traditional republican bastions. Interestingly, it was the immigration issue that helped Trump in 2024 to win the presidency. But the way he implemented his promises which cost him dearly. The attitude towards the immigrants, racist slurs and abuses like the one against Ilhan Omar, Abdul El-Sayed, have backfired terribly. Both Ilhan Omar and Abdul Sayed won their seats creating history.
What the Democratic control over the Congress means
It does not mean that Democrats are going to unseat Trump. However, the victory and control of Congress give them the ability to challenge Trump’s legislative agenda. The President can still use his executive powers to go ahead with his policies. However, a Democrat-controlled Congress can investigate any official or the policies or even impeach Trump if serious allegations are framed. It's reported that the House may vote to impeach Pete Hegseth, who was the architect behind the war.
A military strike on Iran is still not a distant prospect. The unpredictable Trump may use his veto power to resume the strikes in order to distract the attention from the poll debacle. Or he may have to show the world that he is still powerful. But that will also mean the cost of living going worse and the President becoming more unpopular in the US.