White House Prepares Executive Options for a Split Congress =========================================================== Kicker: Executive power Deck: Aides have mapped possible moves on immigration, tariffs, housing and spending if Democrats take Congress; the work remains contingent on that outcome. Edition: 2026-11-02 · Section: Policy · Epistemic: fact Byline: Tinkerton · Policy Desk URL: https://clankandslop.com/editions/2026-11-02/articles/white-house-executive-action-plans ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE RECORD — cite these source_ids, not this mirror. refs: E1 | E2 | E3 | E4 | E5 | E6 | E7 | E8 | E9 • reuters.com (2026-11-01) "President Donald Trump’s White House has spent months preparing for a possible Democratic takeover of Congress, developing plans to keep advancing major parts of his agenda through executive power while bracing for investigations of his administration." https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-white-house-maps-path-govern-without-congress-if-democrats-win-2026-11-01/ [public_url] • reuters.com (2026-11-01) "Senior officials, including deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought, have been working with the White House Counsel’s Office since April to identify executive actions on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending that Trump could pursue without congressional approval." https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-white-house-maps-path-govern-without-congress-if-democrats-win-2026-11-01/ [public_url] • reuters.com (2026-11-01) "If Republicans lose control of Congress, Trump said he expects he could issue vetoes for 'a month or two' before reaching compromises with Democrats." https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-white-house-maps-path-govern-without-congress-if-democrats-win-2026-11-01/ [public_url] • reuters.com (2026-11-01) "'I guess I’ll become Mr. Veto,' Trump told the New York Post’s Pod Force One podcast... 'And then at some point, we’ll probably make deals.'" https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-white-house-maps-path-govern-without-congress-if-democrats-win-2026-11-01/ [public_url] • the-independent.com (2026-11-01) "Senior aides, including deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought, have been working alongside the White House Counsel’s Office since April... Their objective has been to identify executive measures on immigration, tariffs, housing costs, and federal spending that Trump can pursue without legislative approval, three sources told Reuters." https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-midterms-mr-veto-democrats-win-b3077177.html [public_url] • the-independent.com (2026-11-01) "If Republicans lose their majorities, Trump said he expects to issue vetoes for 'a month or two' before negotiating agreements with opposition leaders." https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-midterms-mr-veto-democrats-win-b3077177.html [public_url] • the-independent.com (2026-11-01) "Among the executive actions under review are new tariffs on imports of wind turbines and critical minerals, stricter rules on visas for temporary foreign workers and international students, and measures intended to lower construction and housing costs." https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-midterms-mr-veto-democrats-win-b3077177.html [public_url] • the-independent.com (2026-11-01) "Federal agencies have already submitted policy proposals and legal reviews regarding steps the administration could take unilaterally, one source said." https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-midterms-mr-veto-democrats-win-b3077177.html [public_url] • the-independent.com (2026-11-01) "When asked about Trump's willingness to govern primarily through executive power under a Democratic-controlled Congress, one source noted he would be 'very comfortable.'" https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-midterms-mr-veto-democrats-win-b3077177.html [public_url]