Former president calls for practical reforms and stronger congressional oversight as Democrats prepare to use their election mandate to challenge Trump, reports Asian Lite News Desk
Former US President Barack Obama has urged Democrats to use their sweeping midterm election victory to prevent further damage from President Donald Trump’s administration and lay the groundwork for a different political future.
Reacting to the party’s projected control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Obama said voters had sent a clear message in favour of politics that brought people together rather than divided them.
“Tonight, the American people sent a clear message,” Obama wrote on X on Wednesday.
He congratulated Democratic candidates who contested elections across the country, including in traditionally Republican strongholds, and praised their commitment to public service.
Obama also thanked election officials and volunteers from both major parties for conducting the polls.
Calling on the incoming Democratic congressional majorities to act on their mandate, he urged party leaders to “roll up our sleeves” and use their newly acquired political authority to deliver changes, limit the administration’s actions and prepare for the future.
The former president had returned to the campaign trail in the final days before the election, supporting Democratic candidates in several battleground states.
In Ohio, he campaigned in Cleveland on October 24 for gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and former Senator Sherrod Brown. Both secured victories on Tuesday.
Acton defeated Indian-American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who had received strong backing from Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Brown defeated Republican Senator Jon Husted.
At the Cleveland rally, Obama described the midterm elections as a democratic opportunity to restrain the administration.
“It’s the circuit breaker in the system,” he told supporters, calling for greater congressional accountability and policies addressing household costs.
He also criticised a campaign advertisement by Ramaswamy featuring Acton’s estranged mother.
Obama subsequently travelled to Detroit to campaign for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson. Both won their respective elections.
Defending El-Sayed against attacks involving his name and Muslim identity, Obama said political differences should not prevent cooperation within the Democratic coalition.
“Disagreeing on means is different from disagreeing on ends, on our goals,” he said.
El-Sayed’s victory made him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
Obama also campaigned in Georgia on October 28 alongside Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms. Both won their elections, with Bottoms becoming the first Black woman elected governor in American history.
During the campaign, Obama criticised Trump’s economic policies, tariffs and handling of the Iran conflict. He also urged Democrats to offer practical proposals on healthcare, housing, utilities and living costs rather than relying solely on criticism of the president.
His post-election message reinforced that position, stressing that the Democratic victory carried responsibilities beyond opposing the White House.
The new Congress is scheduled to convene in January 2027. Democratic control of both chambers will give the party greater influence over legislation, government spending and congressional oversight of the Trump administration.
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