Trump given major boost with 'trifecta' victory as Republicans secure House in Congress clean sweep
GB News
The new composition of the House of Representatives gives the President-elect consequential power to enact his agenda on key issues
Donald Trump has received a major boost after the Republican Party secured control of the House of Representatives in a Congress clean sweep.
The trifecta victory, previously achieved by Trump in 2017, came after Grand Old Party candidates won 218 seats in the lower chamber.
The latest results will likely help the incoming President keep his campaign promises regarding issues such as the economy and immigration.
In the beginning two years of his first term, Trump’s main legislative success was passing a tax bill which reduced corporate taxes from 35 per cent to 21 per cent and cut certain levies on individuals.
Trump's party has gained full control of congress
GettyHowever, despite controlling both chambers, the 45th President struggled with other aims.
While Democrats are left with less leverage to challenge policies they disagree with, small margins mean Republicans could also struggle to secure enough votes for certain actions.
The full results from the House of Representatives came over a week after Trump won the 2024 US Presidential Election, subsequently becoming the first convicted felon to serve in the Oval Office.
It is predicted that by the time Trump takes office, House Republicans will have around 220 seats and House Democrats will have at least 208.
Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries extended his congratulations to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson yesterday evening, after the Grand Old Party were projected to win a majority of seats.
Jeffries said: “House Democrats gave it our all, running aggressive, forward-looking and people-centred campaigns.”
“While we will not regain control of the Congress in January, falling just a few seats short, House Democrats will hold Republicans to a razor-thin majority.”
Trump has picked some House members for senior roles in his administration, including Elise Stefanik from New York who will serve as US Ambassador to the UN and Michael Waltz from Florida who was named as the President-elect's incoming National Security Advisor.
The President-elect has also promised extensive changes in his first several months in office, such as the start of mass deportations of illegal immigrants, cutting climate regulations and pardoning some of the January 6 rioters.
Mike Johnson is expected to remain Speaker of the House
GETTYRepublicans are expected to keep Johnson, a vocal Trump ally, as Speaker of the House.
However, despite the Grand Old Party also securing control of the Senate after winning 53 out of the 100 seats, Trump could face a challenge in the upper chamber.
Senate Republicans elected South Dakota Senator John Thune to be their new Senate leader yesterday.
The move has been described by some as a “snub to Trump” due to Thune’s outspoken criticism of the President-elect.