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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Sweeping midterm victories have handed Democrats control of the House and Senate, leaving the party divided between those seeking to confront President Donald Trump at every turn and those arguing for a more pragmatic approach akin to that of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has shown a willingness to work with the president despite their political differences.
After a closely watched midterm election with numerous competitive races, Democrats flipped many U.S. Senate, House and gubernatorial seats, including in traditionally Republican states such as Texas and Ohio. The party is now poised to shape the final two years of Trump’s term, with some Democrats already discussing renewed oversight investigations and floating the prospect of impeachment efforts. However, while reiterating that he believes Republicans would’ve won had he been on the ballot, Trump expressed a willingness to work with the Democratic Congress in an interview with Politico’s Dasha Burns on Tuesday night.
“We’re going to work with the Democrats to make sure things go well for our country,” Trump said. “They’ve already called, and they want to work with me. I have the right to veto everything, but I don’t want to be just sitting there for two years vetoing everything.”
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Some Democratic candidates echoed a similar sentiment, including James Talarico, who beat Republican Ken Paxton in the race for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat. Talarico stressed that while he supports a system with checks and balances, he’s not interested in retribution.
“The people of Texas did not elect me last night for retribution,” Talarico said in an interview with Fox News. “They elected me to deliver for them to make their lives easier and better and less stressful and that's what I plan to do, and I plan to do it even for the Texans who didn't vote for me."
Meanwhile, Democrat Josh Turek, who won the election for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat, previously said he had no interest in impeaching Trump. Democrat Roy Cooper, who won the race for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, promised to be an “independent voice ready to work with anyone,” in his victory speech.
“As the President has said, he's willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans. If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Newsweek on Wednesday.
While the path to a working relationship between Trump and a Democratic Congress remains unclear, both parties might find a road map in Mamdani’s approach. Newsweek reached out to Mamdani’s press office by email for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
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Mamdani, the democratic socialist mayor of New York City, has emerged as one of the most prominent examples of that governing philosophy. Despite sharp disagreements with Trump on issues ranging from immigration to economic policy, Mamdani has managed to cultivate a working relationship with the president, arguing that political differences should not prevent cooperation on issues that could benefit constituents.
Mamdani previously described a meeting with Trump as "productive," while Trump said that despite their political differences, he wanted what was best for New York and believed Mamdani had the potential to be a successful mayor. While a prior meeting between the two struck a cordial tone, both men have continued to pursue their respective political agendas. Trump criticized candidates backed by Mamdani in June, while Mamdani announced in September that New York had joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over a federal rule that officials say could force some immigrant families to choose between receiving public assistance and obtaining legal status.
However, Mamdani has expressed a willingness to continue a relationship with Trump.
"I will continue to have conversations with the president and frankly with anyone who can deliver relief to the people of this city,” Mamdani said in September.
The exchange reflects a strategy Mamdani has embraced: maintaining sharp political disagreements with Trump while leaving open the possibility of working together on areas of mutual interest.
“They want to see things happen, too,” Trump said of the Democratic Party in the interview with Politico on Tuesday night.
Trump didn’t go so far as to confirm whether he would consider an immigration deal with Democrats, but he did reiterate his plan to work with the party.
“I would consider doing whatever I think is appropriate and good for the country,” Trump said, adding that he is always willing to do bipartisan work.
However, a White House official warned Democrats against using their new power to launch investigations and subpoenas.
“If crazed Democrats want to abuse their power and politicize their process of investigations, subpoenas, and destroying lives, they should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers," the White House official told Newsweek.
What Happens Next
Before the new Congress is sworn in on January 3, lawmakers will return to Washington for the 2026 lame-duck session, the period between Election Day and the start of the next Congress. During that time, Republicans would still control any chambers they currently hold, giving them the ability to advance legislation, negotiate government funding and confirm nominations despite losing control in the upcoming Congress.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Edward T. Cummins
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