US Democrats have won both houses of Congress, but their opposition to Trump will not challenge the fundamental interests behind his policies.
Details. The Democrats have won the Midterms, holding at least 54 Senate seats and 255 House seats. States like Texas, Kansas and South Carolina were considered safe states for the Republicans, but turned blue after decades of Republican rule.
► The Democratic majority allows them to launch investigations into government corruption, pass legislation and block unfavourable judge nominations. However, without a supermajority (holding two-thirds of the seats), they can’t block a veto from Trump and are not able to remove him as president after impeachment.
► After the defeat, JD Vance blamed the Iran war and subsequent high gas prices for the Republicans' performance. Trump also acknowledged the war's influence, while other Republicans argued that unfulfilled campaign promises were responsible for the losses. Vance was also accused of trying to distance himself from unpopular policies ahead of a potential presidential run. Trump has begun to reshuffle his cabinet following the defeat.
Context. Leading up to the Midterms, Trump's approval rating fell to just 34%. This discontent reflects the consequences of his pro-capitalist policies. Only 26% approve of his economic policies, while 69% believe the Iran war has not been worth fighting and 64% disapprove of his tariffs.
► As representatives of the capitalist class, both parties pursue policies to maintain American global dominance. Biden and Trump increased military spending. Biden's administration laid the groundwork for the Venezuela coup and identified China as America's primary economic enemy. Trump has continued this imperialist rivalry.
► Trump's foreign-policy failures have weakened his political position, benefiting sections of American capital opposed to his faction. His attempt to separate Russia from China failed, with China's economic influence over Russia tightening. Traditional US allies are also seeking new trade agreements with China. Meanwhile, Trump has failed to defeat Iran swiftly or end the so-called "SMO" in Ukraine, despite promising to do so within 24 hours.
► The Democrats' campaign also embraced "democratic socialism", with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) gaining ground in the House. Although the DSA criticizes capitalism, its candidates operate within the Democratic Party and receive funding from capitalist lobby groups. DSA-backed Nithya Raman also won the Los Angeles mayoral race with substantial capitalist donations.
Important to Know. Sections of American capital backing the Democrats and opposed to Trump's political faction have benefited from his foreign-policy failures and growing domestic discontent. The election has allowed these sections to regain political influence without challenging the underlying interests of American capital.
► The election crystallized a pseudo-"left" wing within the Democrats. DSA candidates are social-democratic reformists who have long served to mislead workers under the guise of representing their interests. Historically, capitalists used the “liberal–conservative” divide to mislead workers. Growing capitalist crisis and fascisation in the USA have intensified workers' discontent, creating a need for new means of containing it. The pseudo-"left" fulfils this role.
► The Midterms provided an outlet for this discontent. The capitalist class used the elections to suppress workers' class consciousness, directing their dissatisfaction towards a capitalist opposition party dressed in socialist phraseology. The Democrats, particularly their DSA wing, have acted as a pressure valve for workers' unrest.
► In essence, nothing will change. The overarching trends – toward war, economic isolation, preparation for conflict with China, the automation of production and warfare, and, above all, the control of the workforce – will continue regardless of the administration, political party, or president in power. This is in the interest of the capitalist class.