Trump may have lost control of Congress, but the planet is doomed

Sir, – The question of what Democrats can now do with control of Congress (“What can Democrats do now they have won Congress?”, US, November 4th) is an important one. But perhaps the more significant question is what they should do.

Investigations, oversight and holding the Trump administration accountable are essential. Yet the opportunity presented by these remarkable election results goes considerably further.

The challenge is to demonstrate that democracy can deliver something better: economic security, social justice, respect for human rights and institutions that serve the public rather than powerful interests.

There is also an international dimension. The world needs a United States that respects international law, supports multilateral institutions and recognises its responsibilities beyond its own borders.

The real measure of this victory will not simply be how effectively Democrats constrain Donald Trump, but whether they can begin to restore confidence in democracy itself. – Yours, etc,

GERTRUDE COTTER,

School of education,

University College Cork.

Sir, – In his analysis of the US midterm elections, Keith Duggan writes (“Today begins the great American comeback. People have spoken all across the land”, US, November 4th) that this election “is an irrepressible demonstration of the democratic process after two years of black warnings about repression of US democracy”.

[ Donald Trump punished: five key takeaways from a Democrat landslideOpens in new window ]

I welcome the results of the election; however, I have three slightly different takeaways from Tuesday’s results: First, while democracy in the US is not dead and can still deliver, any political system where gerrymandering, corruption and unlimited political funding are the norm is only a pseudo-democracy.

Second, US voters have not fallen in love with the Democrats; it is just that, right now, a majority hates the Republicans more than they hate the Democrats.

Third, US citizens voted as they did because the price of petrol at gas stations is too high. Trump may have lost control of Congress, but the planet is doomed. – Yours, etc,

Prof VITTORIO BUFACCHI,

Department of philosophy,

University College Cork.

[ In pictures: Democrats win control of House and Senate in 2026 US midtermsOpens in new window ]

Sir, – It’s truly a happy day when US president Trump receives a bloody nose, like at the midterms. At the same time, we probably shouldn’t kid ourselves.

The reason he lost so badly was inflation, rather than the US population suddenly turning Democrat.

The same zero tolerance of price rises could also mean a very volatile year ahead in European elections next year. Trumpism might be on its way out, but unfortunately its European variants will see only opportunity ahead if economic turmoil continues into 2027. – Yours, etc,

JOHN COTTER,

Ferrybank,

Waterford.