In the first reaction to the electoral loss suffered by the Republican Party in the midterm elections, US President Donald Trump threatened to use his presidential veto to block legislation that Democrats might push.
Trump posted, through his social networking platform, “Truth Social,” a picture of a red hat with the word “Veto” written on it, indicating his willingness to use his constitutional powers to block bills adopted by his Democratic opponents, minutes after he announced his willingness to cooperate with them.
Trump had acknowledged, in an interview with the New York Times, his willingness to accept the election results, saying: “I am fully prepared to accept these results,” adding that he would work with the Democrats during the next stage. But at the same time, he indicated that he would resort to using the presidential veto if necessary.
He told the Wall Street Journal: “I think we will cooperate with the Democrats and get along with them very well, and if that does not happen, we will be firm with them, and they will be firm with us.”
This reflects the possibility of the relationship between the White House and Congress entering a new phase of political and legislative confrontation.
In an attempt to minimize the repercussions of the defeat, Trump claimed that he would have achieved a landslide victory if his name had been on the ballot papers, and wrote on his platform: “I was not a candidate in the elections, and if I had been a candidate, we would have won by an overwhelming majority!”
The US President had threatened, before the polls closed on Tuesday, to use his presidential powers to obstruct democratic legislation if the Democrats won the elections.
“I have absolute power, and it’s called veto power,” Trump said in an exclusive phone interview with CBS News.
He added that he would not mind being called “Mr. Veto” if the Democrats were able to obtain a majority in the House of Representatives or the Senate.
On the other hand, the network quoted a source close to the US President that the Democrats’ victory in the midterm elections will not necessarily prevent Trump from continuing to implement his priorities. Pointing out that he will retain powers that enable him to make broad decisions during the next year, in the files of: trade, border security, federal government management, foreign policy, and national security.
Democrat Abdul Rahman Al-Sayyid, who belongs to the left wing of the party, announced today (Wednesday) his victory in the Senate elections in the state of Michigan (northern), confirming his superiority over his Republican rival, Mike Rogers.
The doctor - who will become the first Muslim senator in the United States - said in his speech: “Oh Michigan, we did it!”, according to what Agence France-Presse reported.
He added: “I feel very proud and proud to stand here as an elected senator from the great state of Michigan.”
Abdel-Sayed achieved victory despite a last-minute obstacle to his campaign, which was represented by Congresswoman Haley Stevens - who lost the Democratic Party primary election to Abdel-Sayed - declaring her support for his Republican rival, Mike Rogers.
The doctor, who hails from Michigan, succeeded in mobilizing voters around left-leaning election promises - including providing universal health care - thus securing a vital seat for the Democrats in the Senate, succeeding Senator Gary Peters, who decided to retire.
On the other hand, Republicans launched a fierce campaign in which they sought to portray Democrats as “communists,” and described Abdel Sayed as a “terrorist” who might pose a danger to Americans.
But Abdel-Sayed, 42 and known for his direct and forthright style, pledged to help cash-strapped voters navigate America's complex health care system. “You deserve to receive medical care without ending up facing exorbitant bills,” he told Michigan residents on the eve of the vote, pledging to bring about radical change in the American medical system based on profit, which raises many divisions.
During the election race, Abdel-Sayed attracted large crowds across the state, even in areas considered strongholds for conservative Republicans. Abdel Sayed also pledged to work to “keep money out of politics” and address the severe economic crises that have made voters yearn for a new political face capable of changing the status quo.
US President Donald Trump said that the war with Iran contributed to the resounding defeat of the Republican Party in the midterm elections, but stressed that he does not feel any regrets about his decision to wage war earlier this year.
Trump said, in a telephone interview with the Wall Street Journal, in response to a question about the impact of the war on the electoral performance of Republicans: “Iran was part of the matter.”
The American President added that he would not reconsider his military decision, despite the political repercussions that cast a shadow on his popularity and the performance of his administration. Pointing out that he made the right decision. He said: "I don't think about it. I did the right thing, and if I went back in time, I would have made the same decision."
Trump indicated his belief that the rise in oil prices, and not the war itself, was the greatest political burden and the most influential factor in the Republicans’ political position. The conflict led to a jump in gasoline and diesel prices, which angered American voters.
Trump refused to consider the election results as a popular rejection of his presidential performance, despite the Republicans' loss in states considered traditional strongholds of the party, including Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas, in addition to a significant decline in his support rates in opinion polls in a number of states.
Trump said that the election results reflect “a specific moment in time,” adding: “I was not a candidate on the ballot. “My name was not on the table in the elections.”
He also denied that the losses were related to voter anger over the economic conditions or allegations of corruption within his administration, stressing that he does not regret not focusing more on the economic file during the election campaigns.
On the other hand, Trump confirmed that he does not intend to make changes in leadership positions within his administration, expressing his support for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who led the war efforts.
“I think he's really great,” Trump said of his defense secretary.
Commenting on the loss of a number of Republican candidates whom he had previously supported, Trump acknowledged that some of them were not at the required level, saying: “Some of them had many flaws, and it is clear that they were not acceptable to voters,” adding: “You know, you can’t do much.”
Among the candidates who lost in the elections were candidates who received Trump's support, including Republican Senator Darlene Graham in South Carolina, along with Republican Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton, who lost the Senate race to Democrat James Tallarico.
Trump said he tried to help the candidates; Pointing out that both Graham and Paxton made great efforts during his election campaign, but in the end he acknowledged their failure to win.
Trump did not question the validity of the election results, and expressed his aspiration to work with the Democrats. Pointing out at the same time that he will resort to using the presidential veto if necessary.
He said: “I think we will cooperate with the Democrats and get along very well with them, and if that does not happen, we will be firm with them, and they will be firm with us.”
Trump did not answer when asked about the names of the Democrats he thought he would be able to work well with.
