Why Trump could be more ‘aggressive’ as a lame duck president
The first half of Trump’s fractious second term in office concluded with him set to become a lame duck president vowing to make extensive use of his presidential power.
As the U.S. midterm elections delivered a massive defeat for President Donald Trump, casting him as a lame duck president, experts suggest he may become more aggressive in his use of executive power. Democrats have won control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
Experts like Daniel Beland, a political science professor, believe that lame ducks can be aggressive in their pursuits. Comparisons are being drawn to Richard Nixon in his final months, who faced political headwinds and could be seen as unstable, much like an embattled Trump. Trump's messaging has been mixed regarding cooperation with Democrats, but he has hinted at a willingness to veto bills passed by the new Democratic-controlled Congress.
In terms of foreign policy and trade, Beland notes that Trump has significant control, having imposed tariffs on Canada via executive order. When it comes to trade, Trump's actions have been less restrained than in foreign policy. The Section 338 tariffs granted the president the authority to impose tariffs on countries that discriminate against the U.S. in trade.
While impeachment is a possibility due to Democratic control of Congress, it would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate for removal, a challenging task given the slim margins.
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