If Democrats Win Congress, Trump Maps a Path to Govern Without It—With Vetoes First

Planning for Democratic control

The White House has spent months preparing for the possibility that Democrats will take over Congress, according to an administration official and two people familiar with the strategy. Plans include advancing parts of Trump’s agenda through executive action while preparing for congressional investigations.

White House counsel Will Scharf and his staff are examining the legal reach of presidential power and how the administration might defend its actions in court, the official said. The White House has rejected suggestions that Republicans could lose their majorities, criticizing media coverage of that possibility.

Executive actions under review

Options being considered include tariffs on imported wind turbines and critical minerals, tighter visa rules for temporary foreign workers and international students, and steps to reduce construction and housing costs, the White House official said. Russell Vought, head of the US Office of Management and Budget, is reviewing which initiatives could use funds Congress has already approved, two sources said. He is also seeking changes to federal grant rules that would give political appointees more say over which programs receive funding, potentially increasing White House oversight without congressional approval.

Trump’s veto strategy

Trump told the New York Post’s Pod Force One podcast that he expected to issue vetoes for “a month or two” before reaching agreements with opposition leaders. In the interview excerpt released Sunday, he said, “I guess I’ll become Mr. Veto,” and added that deals would probably follow.

Democrats would need to gain four seats in both chambers to overturn Republican majorities of 218-214 in the House and 53-47 in the Senate. Polling suggests Democrats are favored to win the House, while the Senate race remains exceptionally close.

Limits and oversight ahead

A Democratic-controlled Senate could block Trump’s judicial and executive nominees, including possible Supreme Court picks, and Democrats could refuse to advance bills he supports. Trump could veto legislation passed by Democrats, while they are unlikely to have enough House votes to override a veto.

Executive authority cannot prevent congressional oversight. White House aides have been preparing for that prospect, and attorneys have advised political appointees and agency leaders on handling document requests, subpoenas and inquiries, including caution with written records.

Trump has used executive orders during his second term to pursue tariffs, immigration enforcement, federal workforce reductions and foreign policy goals, including military operations against Iran, without new legislation or congressional approval. Nathan Gonzales of Inside Elections said Trump had largely bypassed Congress and would likely continue if Democrats held majorities.