Reuters reported that President Donald Trump’s White House has spent months preparing for a possible Democratic takeover of Congress, including plans to advance parts of its agenda through executive power while bracing for investigations. [E1]
The Independent, citing three sources who spoke to Reuters, reported that deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought have worked with the White House Counsel’s Office since April to identify actions on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending that they said could proceed without legislative approval. [E2][E5]
The Independent reported that the options include tariffs on wind-turbine and critical-mineral imports, tighter visa rules for temporary foreign workers and international students, and measures aimed at construction and housing costs. [E7] It also reported that federal agencies had submitted policy proposals and legal reviews on possible unilateral steps, according to an unnamed source. [E8]
Reuters reported that Trump expects to issue vetoes for a month or two if Republicans lose Congress before reaching compromises with Democrats. [E3] The Independent reported the same expectation, while Reuters reported that Trump told the New York Post’s Pod Force One he would become Mr Veto before making deals. [E4][E6]
The Independent also reported an unnamed source’s view that Trump would be comfortable governing chiefly through executive power under a Democratic Congress. [E9]