THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE?
SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do)
- Trump says he’ll become “Mr. Veto” if Democrats take control of Congress.
- His plan: reject Democratic legislation initially, then negotiate after a month or two.
- Reuters reports White House aides are already preparing executive-action options to pursue Trump’s agenda without new legislation.
LAY IT ON ME (I’ve got time)
President Donald Trump has a new nickname ready for himself if Democrats take control of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
“Mr. Veto.”
And unlike most political nicknames, this one comes with a fairly specific job description.
In an interview with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine for her Pod Force One podcast, Trump explained what he would do if Republicans lost control of both chambers.
“Well, if that happens, I guess I’ll become Mr. Veto. I’m not going to let them through,” Trump said.
The president wasn’t describing a permanent refusal to negotiate. He said he would initially reject legislation he opposed, then look for agreements once the two sides had exhausted their opening positions.
“And then at some point, we’ll probably make deals,” he said.
Trump suggested that a month or two of vetoes could eventually bring Democrats to the negotiating table.
It’s a familiar Washington arrangement: Congress passes something, the president rejects it, and everyone discovers that governing requires more than sending legislation to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
But there’s another development behind Trump’s unusually candid description of his strategy.
According to a Reuters investigation published Sunday, senior White House officials have spent months preparing for the possibility of divided government.
Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, budget director Russell Vought and White House counsel Will Scharf are reportedly involved in identifying policies the administration could pursue through existing executive authority.
The areas under consideration include immigration enforcement, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending.
Among the reported possibilities are tighter visa rules for international students and temporary foreign workers, new tariffs on certain imports, and changes to federal grant administration.
Reuters also reported that White House attorneys have been preparing officials for potential congressional investigations, including document requests and subpoenas.
The plans remain under review, according to the report, rather than constituting a finalized set of executive orders.
A Democratic-controlled Congress would have substantial powers of its own. Lawmakers could block legislation, scrutinize administration decisions and exercise control over federal appropriations. The Senate would also retain its confirmation authority.
But overriding a presidential veto generally requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
That gives Trump considerable leverage even if his party loses its congressional majorities.
The White House, meanwhile, pushed back against suggestions that Republican losses were inevitable. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis emphasized the administration’s intention to continue pursuing its policy priorities.
Trump himself sounded more interested in avoiding the scenario altogether.
He hopes Republicans retain control. But if voters deliver divided government, he’s already described the opening act.
Democrats can send their bills down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Mr. Veto will be waiting at the other end.
DBS WIRE SOURCES (I have all day)
- The Hill — Trump says he’ll become “Mr. Veto” if Democrats take Congress
- Reuters — Trump White House maps path to govern without Congress if Democrats win
- GMA News / Reuters — White House preparing executive-power strategy and congressional oversight response
- The Independent — Trump maps a path to govern without Congress if Republicans lose control
