Analysis
Updated
With Democrats taking control of the House, things could get ugly for Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.
The
anticipated blue wave was no tsunami, but it still delivered Democrats
the power to thwart their opponents' agenda at every turn. They could launch a raft of investigations into the administration — not to mention the possibility of bringing impeachment proceedings against the President.
With the powershift still sinking in, both sides are promising to focus on legislation and are vowing to work across the aisle.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters the President is going to work with whoever comes into office, but added his "agenda isn't going to change regardless of whose party is there".
Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi promised supporters her party will strive for "bipartisanship" and seek "common ground".
But that promise came with a caveat.
"When we can't find that common ground, [we will be] standing our ground," she added.
Working together, but for how long?
It's hard to see after such a bruising election campaign how both sides will come together to get legislation passed.It's also hard to see where they could find common ground.
In recent days, Mr Trump has accused Democrats of being "radical socialists who want to model America's economy after Venezuela", and said they wanted to invite "caravan after caravan of illegal aliens into our country".
Mr Trump and Democrats may be able to agree on a strategy for infrastructure but they have vastly different ideas on key policy areas like healthcare and immigration.
Democrats also flagged plans to push for anti-corruption measures, strengthen ethics laws, protections for voter rights and crack down on campaign finance abuses.
They've also already reportedly threatened to subpoena Mr Trump's tax returns.
Spinning it as a win either way
This was posed as a referendum on Mr Trump's presidency and the results will allow both parties to spin the results in their favour.Republican incumbent Congresswoman Barbara Comstock lost her House seat in Virginia to Democrat Jennifer Wexton, who had spent the campaign calling her opponent "Barbara Trump-stock" due to her conservative positions.
Was Ms Wexton's win a sign voters are rejecting Trumpian policies? Democrats will likely say so.
Republicans are on track to hold on to a majority in the Senate.
In Trump-friendly West Virginia, Democrat senator Joe Manchin managed to hang on to his seat, yet the White House is labelling that a win for the President.
Senator Manchin was the only Democrat to vote for Mr Trump's Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh.
"I think that's the moment that has probably helped him in some cases," Ms Sanders said.
"People who are embracing the President — embracing his policies — are doing well."
Unlike in 2016, there were few surprises in yesterday's outcome.
While the last two years in Washington have been something few will forget, there is a good chance the next two will be even more memorable.
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