White House denies Hegseth and Rubio are set to leave after midterm losses

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Democrats take Congress as Republicans trade blame over Iran war after midterms

Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in Tuesday's midterms, and attention since has turned to who is blamed for the losses. On Thursday the White House denied reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to leave. Vice President JD Vance has publicly blamed the Iran war for the defeat, which was described as a sharp break with Trump, while Trump acknowledged the war may have played a role but did not take personal responsibility. Democrats say they will focus on living costs and oversight when they take control in January.

• Democrats won the House and Senate, with wins including Maine, Ohio, Texas and Michigan Senate seats. Alaska and Mississippi Senate races remained uncalled.
• Democrats can adopt impeachment articles against Hegseth in the House, but conviction would need Republican votes in the Senate. Thomas Massie has filed eight articles of impeachment.
• Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the death sentences of more than 500 people on California's death row to life without parole on Wednesday.
• Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly will not seek the House minority leader post, and incoming oversight chair Robert Garcia told Trump and Republicans to 'lawyer up'.