If Trump loses the midterm elections, Reuters: White House plans a policy path that does not rely on Congress

The White House has been preparing for months for the possibility that Democrats would win control of Congress in the midterm elections, drawing up plans to continue using executive power to advance important parts of President Donald Trump's agenda, according to a White House official and two people familiar with the matter.

Reuters reported that the three anonymous sources pointed out that senior officials involved in the matter include White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought.

These top officials have been working with the White House Counsel's Office since April to take stock of what Trump can push for on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending without congressional approval.

An anonymous White House official said that White House Counsel Will Scharf and his team are also studying "what measures Trump can take on his own under the law, where he can challenge the limits of his power, and how to defend these decisions in court."

The Democrats need to gain 4 seats each to flip both chambers

The midterm elections will be held on November 3. If the Democrats win Congress, they will have the power to investigate the president, obstruct legislation and limit Trump's spending priorities. However, Trump will still retain broad executive powers in trade, foreign policy and the federal bureaucracy.

The Democrats need a net gain of four seats in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to overturn the slim majorities currently held by the Republicans in both chambers.

Polls show Democrats are expected to win the House of Representatives, but the Senate race remains difficult to predict.