WASHINGTON — For two years, Congress has largely done the bidding of President Donald Trump — but that will soon end.
Democrats are projected to wrest control of the Senate and House of Representatives back from Republicans, which means the legislative branch is about to become a much bigger thorn in the president's side.
Investigations, impeachments of Cabinet members
and fiery hearings are all likely on the way.Rep. Robert Garcia, a California Democrat poised to become the next chairman of the House Oversight Committee, put his party's message for Trump and his allies succinctly upon learning the GOP had lost its already-slim majority in the chamber.
"LAWYER UP," Garcia wrote on social media.
Even with Republicans fully in charge, Congress has
become increasingly willing to rebuke Trump over the past year.
Both chambers have voted to end the Iran war and release the Epstein files. The House has repudiated Trump's tariffs on Canada while outgoing GOP senators pushed back on Trump's plans to build a White House ballroom and launch an "anti-weaponization" fund.
But Republican leadership had largely worked to advance Trump's agenda. With Democrats poised to take over, that's about to change.
Expect investigations, impeachments and shutdown showdowns
Armed with control of both chambers, Democrats will have powerful new tools at their disposal to conduct oversight of the Trump administration.
They'll be able to subpoena government agencies, drag administration officials to Capitol Hill for dramatic hearings and conduct investigations into the president and his allies. Unlike when Democrats were in the minority, the probes will carry the full force of the legislative branch's authority.
"You will have a Congress that recognizes we don't work for the president," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, who's now poised to become the next speaker.
And while congressional Democrats have largely left the possibility of impeaching of Trump himself off the table, there are articles pending in the House to remove a number of Cabinet secretaries, including Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
Those measures will likely see new momentum in that chamber, though they'll ultimately have to clear trials in the Senate before any high-level Trump administration officials could actually be removed.
In addition, Trump may have a tougher time negotiating deals to keep the government funded. Despite Democrats sweeping victories, they will still need to win over GOP votes in the Senate — and Trump's signature — to pass spending bills.
Health care, affordability are Dem priorities
In his victory speech celebrating his party's gains, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said he had five words for Americans who supported Democrats: "Relief is on the way."
They've outlined lowering health care costs and addressing widespread affordability concerns as among their biggest goals.
While the Trump administration has opposed previous Democrat-led efforts to enact policies such as extending Obamacare subsidies, the president has expressed a willingness to try to ease health care expenses for Americans.
Without mentioning specific issues, he indicated Tuesday night he'd be open to passing legislation championed by the opposite party, though he stressed he reserves the right to veto any bills.
"I don't want to be just sitting there for two years vetoing everything," he told Politico.
At the same time, congressional Republicans like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, vowed not to let Democrats "unwind everything we've done."
Zachary Schermele is the congressional correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com and on Signal @zachschermele.02. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress poised to become thorn in Trump's side after Democratic midterm wins
