Donald Trump has spoken out again, and his statement carries notable restraint. On November 4, he stated that he would accept the outcome of the midterm elections and cooperate with Democrats, as they appear poised to gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This follows remarks earlier by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who declared: "By 2028, we will reclaim the House, and we will complete this work."
Evidently, this midterm election represents a significant setback for Trump. Two long-standing Republican strongholds—Texas and South Carolina—have delivered disappointing results in succession. First, South Carolina saw Democrats win a Senate seat, ending nearly three decades of Republican dominance in the state. Subsequently, Texas lost its Senate seat, and the governorship also changed hands, falling to a Democratic candidate. These two states had previously served as the most stable bases for Trump and the MAGA movement.
Circumstances shift with time and fortune. The electoral outcome has prompted a measured response from Trump, who has chosen to accept the results and express willingness to collaborate with Democrats—an adjustment that is not easily made under these conditions. There remains, however, one unresolved question: how severe will the Republican losses be? Could they trigger another impeachment proceeding, or even lead to an impeachment conviction?
Under the U.S. Constitution, presidential impeachment proceeds in two stages. First, the House of Representatives requires only a simple majority—more than 218 votes—to approve articles of impeachment. Then, the process moves to the Senate, which consists of 100 members. To remove a president, at least 67 votes—two-thirds of the Senate—are required. While no U.S. president has ever been removed through Senate trial, the current political climate makes such an outcome far from certain. Persistent challenges—including inflation, housing affordability, healthcare access, and employment—appear to have exacted a heavy toll on Trump’s standing. He now must confront the consequences.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880900100201475/
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