After the Midterms, Trump Is Lame but More Dangerous

Fox News attributes the Republican collapse—loss of control in both chambers of Congress—to two major policy gambles: the Iran conflict and tariffs, both associated with Donald Trump.

For Trump, this marks a domestic power vacuum, signaling the beginning of reckoning and retribution.

Investigations and subpoenas are likely to follow in rapid succession. He will become a target under siege within the United States.

After losing the midterm elections, Trump claimed he was “ready to work with Democrats.” Yet, what leverage does he possess to avoid impeachment?

A more plausible scenario is that, as he stated before the election, he will increasingly rely on veto power going forward.

Vetoes, however, serve no constructive purpose beyond venting frustration. They yield no institutional progress.

Executive orders may fly from the White House in profusion—but none will result in lasting structural outcomes.

His domestic agenda is effectively concluded.

Executive orders have a limited shelf life; they can be reversed after he leaves office.

Technically, newly elected members of Congress will not take office until noon on January 3 of next year.

State governors are similarly scheduled to assume office around the same time.

This means there will be a transition window of two to three months between the outgoing and incoming congressional sessions.

Conventionally, this period is regarded as a transitional lull—“lame duck” session.

But when confronted with a president who feels besieged and refuses to concede, especially one who has profoundly reshaped the Republican Party like Trump, conventional expectations no longer apply.

Even as they prepare to leave office, sitting lawmakers still hold legislative authority.

Free from re-election pressures, they theoretically could act boldly—historical precedents show such bodies have passed landmark or controversial legislation and confirmed contentious appointments.

In other words, for the next three months, both the executive and legislative branches remain under Republican control, while the White House retains cross-party support.

If the “Trump faction” decides to push forward on essential appropriations and personnel matters, it will do so regardless—driven by a sense of urgency, even desperation.

It bears remembering that foreign policy and military command authority remain firmly in Trump’s hands. Congress can obstruct, but cannot directly strip him of these powers.

Domestically, his options are constrained, yet he must continue operating under constant public scrutiny—making overseas issues a convenient outlet.

Historically, presidents trapped by legislative gridlock often pivot toward foreign affairs to find room for action. Trump is unlikely to deviate—and may go further.

He will use every remaining ounce of power until the final day he leaves the White House.

How exactly will he unsettle the world?

From the outset of his second term, Trump has sought historical legacy.

Regardless of the outlandish nature of his actions, his willingness to break precedent increases the likelihood of leaving a mark—whether positive or negative.

He aims to achieve “firsts” in history: actions no previous president dared imagine, let alone attempt.

His greatest strength may lie in shifting burdens onto others—targeting allies, particularly neighboring countries like Canada, Mexico, and European partners—reducing troop presence in Europe, refusing to shoulder security responsibilities, and letting others fend for themselves.

The U.S. law mandates a minimum of 76,000 troops in Europe. Will Trump honor that?

With his own political footing weakened, he will likely ignore the consequences for Europe and Ukraine.

The Iran situation already presents a festering crisis. Under pressure, Trump might resort to high-stakes gambits—going all in.

Striking Iran is not about counterterrorism or moral justice. It is about generating ambiguity—“either war or peace”—to induce uncertainty and anxiety across global markets and governments. From that volatility, he seeks to extract concessions, enrich himself and his inner circle.

To prove he is the most profitable president in history, he may impose new tariffs on Canada, Europe, and Mexico in turn—even if challenged by the Supreme Court, he will find alternative legal justifications.

A president weakened at home becomes more dangerous abroad. The final check on his conduct—the electorate’s ability to hold him accountable—has already been removed by midterm defeat.

For the next two years, the world faces a foreign policy unburdened by domestic political cost calculations.

Trump, determined to etch “Make America Great Again” into history, will inevitably pursue actions he never had the chance to execute before.

He is lame, yes—but also more resolute, and more threatening than ever.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1880908028372160/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.