The 2026 U.S. midterm elections delivered a sweeping rebuke to President Donald Trump. Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, flipping Senate seats even in Republican strongholds such as Texas, Kansas and South Carolina. The night also brought historic firsts such as the first Muslim and the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. Voters were passing judgment on Trump’s performance. Many blamed his policies for the high cost of living. The Iran war added to their frustration, through higher fuel prices and doubts about the decision to enter the conflict. Aggressive immigration enforcement was another visible and divisive part of his agenda. No single issue explains the result, but the election gave Americans a chance to voice their discontent and to change who controls Congress. Watching the results from New York, I found myself thinking about how differently Korea delivered its own verdict on a president not long ago. When then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in December 2024, citizens rushed to the National Assembly as lawmakers moved swiftly to r