Handelsblatt1 hour agoPolitics1 min readGermany

Trump Watch: The consequences of the midterm debacle for Donald Trump - with Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook and Dana Heide

Democrats gain a majority in both chambers of Congress, but influence in foreign and customs policy remains limited

Quick Look

After the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump is looking for reconciliation because he needs the Democrats on budget issues.
However, political scientist Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook sees limited opportunities for Democrats to intervene in foreign and customs policy, while they could highlight economic losses and act as a regulator.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

After the US midterm elections, the Democratic Party gained a clear majority in both chambers of Congress. President Donald Trump is on a reconciliation course because he needs the cooperation of the Democrats, especially on budget issues.

Font size

After the Democratic Party won a clear majority in both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump is embarking on a reconciliation course. He knows that he will need cooperation, especially on budgetary issues.

Nevertheless, the Democrats' ability to intervene in foreign policy is just as limited as in customs policy, in which Trump has been using presidential orders to bypass Congress since taking office, political scientist Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook assesses in the midterm special episode of Trump-Watch. “He won’t let this scepter be taken away from him.” However, with their new majorities, the Democrats could make it clearer how great the losses are for the US economy. In addition, old and new Republican members of Congress could vote against Trump in the future after this “punishment” of their party and act as a regulator. Handelsblatt US correspondent Dana Heide is also a guest in this special episode.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Democrats will use their new majority to make the economic losses of the US economy more clear.
Likely · Within weeks
Old and new Republican representatives could vote against Trump after their party's punishment and act as a regulator.
Possible · Within months

Open Questions

What concrete steps will Trump take in the reconciliation process?
How will the Democrats use their new majority in practice?
What impact will this have on U.S. foreign and customs policy?