What’s the Latest: What can Trump do—and not do—with Congress in the hands of Democrats?
The Democratic Party is set to take control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in January following the recent midterm elections, marking a decisive defeat for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump. As a result, Trump faces challenges enacting his agenda amidst a divided government.
The lame duck session of Congress is expected to see significant activity as lawmakers attempt to pass key measures before the new Democratic majority takes office. The December 11 deadline for a funding deal looms, with the possibility of a government shutdown if no agreement is reached.
Political experts indicate that the divided government will likely hinder President Trump’s ability to enact his agenda, with political science professor Aaron Ettinger noting, “It is now harder for the president of the United States to enact legislation.” In the coming weeks, Trump and Congress will enter a “lame duck” session, during which key priorities may be expedited before new Democratic lawmakers assume their roles.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain what specific major policies Trump and the Republicans will attempt to expedite during the upcoming lame duck session.
What powers will Trump retain with a Democrat-controlled Congress?
U.S. President Donald Trump faces significant challenges as the Democratic Party prepares to take control of both chambers of Congress in January, following the recent midterm elections. Despite this shift in power, experts indicate that substantial changes in Trump’s policies may not occur immediately due to his executive authority.
The midterms resulted in a notable defeat for Republicans, reflecting widespread voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s presidency. Derek Holt, Scotiabank’s vice president of Capital Markets Economics, described the election outcome as a “bold verdict” on Trump’s record, which he attributed to “inflamed deficits, unwise trade policies, and broken promises.”
With a Democratic Congress, gridlock is expected, complicating Trump’s ability to advance his agenda. Carleton University political scientist Aaron Ettinger noted, “It is now harder for the president of the United States to enact legislation to pursue his agenda,” given the divided government scenario. This division could also empower Democrats to initiate more investigations and issue subpoenas, potentially shifting focus away from Trump’s initiatives.
In terms of international relations, particularly regarding trade with Canada, the situation remains complex. Trump’s tariffs, enacted through executive action, are not easily reversed by Congress. Ettinger stated, “The power of tariffing still resides within the executive branch of the U.S. government,” implying that Canadians should not expect immediate relief following the Democratic wins.
Looking ahead, Trump may seek to advance critical policies during the “lame duck” session of Congress. Holt suggested that this period represents “the window that counts” for Trump to secure agreements or policies before the new Congress is installed, potentially in trade and other areas. The risk of a government shutdown looms if consensus on funding is not reached by the December 11 deadline.