Republican leaders and strategists have urged US President Donald Trump to reconsider his policies and overhaul his White House team following the party’s major losses in the November 3 midterm elections, which saw Democrats take control of Congress.
The electoral setback has intensified calls within the Republican Party for Trump to restore discipline in his administration, replace some officials and review policies blamed for the defeat, particularly the Iran war and tariffs, as his presidency enters its final years.
Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the outcome as a “huge disaster” for Trump, saying the president needed to take urgent steps to address the situation.
“He needs to clean house,” Feehery said.
“Every day from this point forward, he’s becoming more and more lame.”
However, Trump appeared unwilling to accept the election results as a reason to change his approach, dismissing suggestions that the outcome represented a personal setback.
“I don’t view it as a hit on me,” he told Fox News late on Tuesday.
The Democratic victory is expected to significantly constrain Trump’s legislative agenda, with the party gaining the ability to block his proposals, investigate his administration and challenge presidential nominees.
The development could also push the president towards greater reliance on executive actions to pursue his policies.
Republican concerns have also extended to Trump’s potential political successors, particularly Vice President JD Vance, who is widely viewed as the president’s likely heir. Vance appeared to distance himself from Trump on Wednesday by blaming the Iran war for the party’s electoral losses, a move that could signal growing divisions within the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, senior White House officials are preparing for possible staff departures, Cabinet changes and investigations by Democrats, according to a senior administration official who spoke anonymously.
“It absolutely sucks to be here right now,” the official said. “Morale is as low as it can get.”
The official disclosed that internal polling conducted about six weeks before the election had indicated that Republicans were likely to lose both chambers of Congress.
However, Trump reportedly declined to alter his position on the Iran war despite warnings about its political consequences.
“Ultimately, he just didn’t care,” the official said. “He refused to listen to anyone.”
Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the eight-month-old Iran war had affected Republican candidates but maintained that his decision to initiate the conflict was justified.
Other concerns among Republican advisers included the president’s attention to the construction of a White House ballroom and renovations in Washington.
According to a Republican political adviser, focus groups in competitive Senate races in states such as Michigan and Iowa showed increasing opposition among Republican and independent voters to the projects.
“If Trump spends the next two years talking about this same shit, we will get shellacked again in the next election,” the adviser said.
Despite the criticism, Trump defended his involvement in the ballroom project during an impromptu visit to its construction site on Wednesday.
“For me it’s relaxing,” he said.
The White House also maintained a defiant stance, sharing a photograph of Trump on social media with the message, “PSA: TRUMP IS STILL YOUR PRESIDENT.”
Although Trump retains considerable executive authority, Democratic control of Congress is expected to expose his administration to extensive scrutiny.
The White House has reportedly prepared executive measures covering immigration, tariffs, housing and federal spending to sustain parts of its agenda despite opposition from lawmakers.
However, the administration may find it difficult to avoid congressional investigations.
“Nobody wants to deal with the investigations,” the official said.
