Democrats poised to control Congress as Trump enters second term
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President Donald Trump will face a divided government after the midterm elections give Democrats majorities in both chambers, limiting his ability to pass legislation but leaving executive powers intact.
President Donald Trump will lead a divided government after the recent midterm elections gave the Democratic Party majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate. While the new Democratic-controlled Congress is expected to challenge the administration’s agenda, the president retains significant authority, including the power to issue executive orders, veto legislation and maintain existing tariff regimes.
Political analysts note that the split will likely produce legislative gridlock. > "It is now harder for the president of the United States to enact legislation to pursue his agenda," said Aaron Ettinger, a political science professor at Carleton University. He added that the opposing parties are likely to be at loggerheads, making the passage of new laws difficult.
The shift also gives Democrats greater capacity to launch investigations and issue subpoenas, which could increase scrutiny of the administration. Trade policy remains under executive control; tariffs imposed by the president are not easily reversed by Congress. > "The power of tariffing still resides within the executive branch and certainly in Donald Trump’s presidency," Ettinger explained.
Economists suggest that the lame-duck session before the new Congress convenes could see accelerated action on pending priorities, such as a potential trade agreement with Canada and other final policy measures. > "If the aim is to get DJT’s signature on a new comprehensive agreement, then do so before having to put it through a Congress controlled by the Democrats," wrote Derek Holt, vice president and head of Capital Markets Economics at Scotiabank.
Potential risks include a funding impasse that could trigger a government shutdown, though experts consider this unlikely. The administration may also pursue last-minute initiatives on tax policy, disaster relief, defense spending and agricultural subsidies before the new Congress takes office.