Democrats Thwart Trump’s Foreign Policy

Democrats win midterm majorities

Democrats secured majorities in the House and Senate during Tuesday’s midterm elections with nationwide upsets.

Trump bypassed Congress on foreign policy

Trump frequently took major military action without congressional approval, including launching the Iran war and ordering strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats.

Democrats control appropriations committees

Democrats will oversee military and foreign aid spending bills, giving them leverage to cut Iran war funding.

Funding cuts could end Iran war

Brian Finucane, a State Department former advisor, said attaching a funding prohibition to legislation would force an end to the Iran war or boat strikes.

Historical precedent for funding leverage

Congress nearly forced a government shutdown in 1973 to end Nixon’s bombing of Cambodia, a model for Democrats to use funding to stop Trump’s actions.

U.S. bases in Gulf damaged by Iran

U.S. bases in the Gulf have been heavily hit by Iran, requiring rebuilding or relocation decisions.

Democrats push for Middle East policy shift

Democrats will use funding to decide whether to rebuild damaged U.S. bases or move them elsewhere in the Middle East.

Ukraine aid funding at stake

Democrats aim to speed up Ukraine aid packages, which have historically garnered bipartisan support.

Trump vows to veto Democratic legislation

Trump has vowed to veto Democratic legislation he opposes, making it hard for Democrats to override his vetoes.

Oversight committee powers

Democrats will control oversight committees to launch investigations into Trump family dealings and foreign policy.

Trump family under investigation

Rep. Robert Garcia, new House Oversight Committee chair, pledged to investigate the Trump family for alleged crimes.

“Lawyer up.”

Potential impeachment targets

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is a likely target for impeachment proceedings by Democrats.

Iran war as political weapon

Trump admitted the Iran war was a 'piece' of why the GOP lost the midterm elections.

“piece”

Structural reforms needed

Democrats aim to prevent future presidents from taking foreign policy actions similar to Trump’s through legislative reforms.

War Powers Resolution failure

The 1973 War Powers Resolution failed to stop Trump from embarking on military actions in Iran.