Republicans Urge Trump to Change Course After Major Midterm Setback

President Donald Trump came under pressure from fellow Republicans on Wednesday to change course after a major midterm election defeat handed Democrats control of Congress and saw voters reject several of his handpicked candidates in key races.

Republican allies and political strategists urged Trump to overhaul his White House team, restore discipline and reconsider policies they believe contributed to the losses, particularly the Iran war and tariffs, as his presidency enters its final years.

Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the election results as a "huge disaster" for Trump, arguing that the president needed to make significant changes.

"He needs to clean house," Feehery said. "Every day from this point forward, he's becoming more and more lame."

Trump, however, showed little willingness to interpret the results as a warning to change direction.

"I don't view it as a hit on me," he told Fox News late Tuesday.

With Democrats now positioned to block Trump's legislative agenda, investigate his administration and challenge his nominees, the president could increasingly turn to executive powers to advance his priorities.

The election outcome will also force Trump to consider whether to maintain an agenda that some Republicans fear has become a political burden, particularly for potential successors preparing for the 2028 presidential race.

Vice President JD Vance, widely viewed as Trump's likely political successor, appeared to distance himself from the president on Wednesday, blaming the Iran war for the Republican setbacks.

Republican strategists and party officials warned that similar divisions could emerge if party members begin questioning whether Trump still has the same influence over the Republican electorate.

WHITE HOUSE BRACES FOR STAFF CHANGES AND INVESTIGATIONS

Senior White House aides are preparing for possible staff departures, Cabinet reshuffles and investigations by Democrats, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"It absolutely sucks to be here right now," the official said, describing morale as being at its lowest point.

The official said internal polling had indicated six weeks before the election that Republicans were likely to lose both chambers of Congress. However, Trump refused to reconsider his approach to Iran despite warnings about the potential political fallout.

"Ultimately, he just didn't care," the official said. "He refused to listen to anyone."

Trump acknowledged late Tuesday that the eight-month-old Iran war had negatively affected Republican candidates but continued to defend his decision to launch the conflict.

Concerns among Republicans also extended beyond foreign policy. During focus groups conducted for competitive Senate races in states such as Michigan and Iowa, Republican political advisers became increasingly alarmed this summer as more Republican and independent voters expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's focus on constructing a White House ballroom and renovating government buildings in Washington.

"If Trump spends the next two years talking about this same shit, we will get shellacked again in the next election," a Republican political adviser said.

Despite the criticism, Trump gathered reporters on Wednesday for an impromptu visit to the ballroom construction site, defending the time and attention he had devoted to the project.

"For me it's relaxing," he said.

The White House also adopted a defiant tone in its public response, posting a photograph of Trump on social media alongside the message: "PSA: TRUMP IS STILL YOUR PRESIDENT."

Despite the electoral setback, Trump retains significant executive authority. Reuters had previously reported that the White House had spent months preparing executive actions covering immigration, tariffs, housing and federal spending, potentially allowing the president to pursue parts of his agenda despite Democratic opposition.

However, executive powers cannot protect the administration from congressional investigations.

"Nobody wants to deal with the investigations," the senior official said.