From RFI · · 2m
Democrats take Congress as Trump faces divided government
After midterm elections gave Democrats control of both houses, political scientist Eduardo Gamarra says the party must choose between investigating Trump or seeking compromise on urgent crises.
In brief
After midterm elections gave Democrats control of both houses, political scientist Eduardo Gamarra says the party must choose between investigating Trump or seeking compromise on urgent crises. Democrats won control of Congress in midterm elections, but Trump's use of presidential directives and veto power means…
Democrats sweep Congress in midterms
A blue wave gave Democrats control of both houses of Congress in this week's midterm elections. The result sets up a showdown with President Donald Trump over the country's most pressing problems.
Trump has governed without Congress
President Trump has been ruling by presidential directive without Congress, says Eduardo Gamarra, professor of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University.
Democrats face a critical choice
The burden is on Democrats to decide how to use their majority control. They can spend time investigating Trump's past activities, or construct bipartisan responses to the economic crisis, foreign policy failures and the war…
Trump signals intent to veto
On November fourth, Trump posted a picture of a red baseball cap emblazoned with the word VETO on Truth Social, indicating he intends to reject any proposal he dislikes.
Congress can override vetoes with two-thirds vote
Democrats can override a presidential veto through a mechanism requiring a two-thirds vote, but they cannot achieve this without Republican support. This limits their ability to pass legislation against Trump's opposition.
Florida stayed Republican despite blue wave
While Texas and Kansas turned Democrat, Florida remained Republican. For the last thirty years, Republicans have controlled every institution in the state and spent time registering Republicans. Democrats came surprisingly close in several races.
Republicans learn Trump is not a safe bet
The big lesson for Republicans is that Donald Trump is not necessarily the best person to latch on to. Given his unpredictability and personality traits, he will not change in the next two years.
“Donald Trump is not necessarily the best person to latch on to”
Democratic victory unlikely to change Iran policy
There is a real risk to assuming the Democratic victory will change how the United States conducts itself abroad.
Trump unconstrained on foreign policy
Congress has abdicated its role in controlling foreign policy over the last five decades since the Vietnam War.
Republicans blame Iran war for losses
Vice President JD Vance has said the war against Iran is to blame for Republican losses.
What it means
Democrats won control of Congress in midterm elections, but Trump's use of presidential directives and veto power means divided government will struggle to address economic crisis, foreign policy failures and the war with Iran.
