Trump says he would veto everything if Democrats win Congress
Reuters reports the White House has spent months planning ways to act without Congress if Democrats win, and is reviewing possible executive steps.
President Donald Trump said he would become "Mr. Veto" if Republicans lose control of in Tuesday's elections. He spoke with host Miranda Devine on the New York Post's Pod Force One podcast. He said Democrats would send bills and he would veto them.
After a month or two, he said, they would probably come over and make deals. He added that he hopes it does not come to that. Republicans now hold 218-214 and the 53-47.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each chamber to take over. Polls favor Democrats in the House, while the Senate races are very close. Reuters reported, citing an administration official and two other people, that the White House has spent months preparing for a possible Democratic takeover.
Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, budget director Russell Vought and the White House counsel's office have been identifying steps on immigration, , housing costs and spending that Trump could take without Congress. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said the administration and "commonsense Republicans" will keep working on border security, law and order, and household finances.
- 218-214 current Republican majority in the House — The Independent (US)
- 53-47 current Republican majority in the Senate — The Independent (US)
- 121 laws passed by the 119th Congress, per a Pew Research Center study — Newsweek
Three sides of the story
Liberal1 outlet
White House quietly plans to govern without Congress
The Independent leads with the White House's months of preparation for a Democratic Congress, relying on Reuters reporting from an administration official and two other people. It names Stephen Miller and Russell Vought as working with the counsel's office since April on executive steps covering immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending. Trump's "Mr. Veto" remark comes in as one piece of that picture, and the outlet notes he held rallies while aides planned for a different 2027.
It lists possible tariffs on wind turbines and critical minerals and tighter visa rules. It says Vought is checking which initiatives can proceed with money Congress already appropriated, and that he aims to revise federal grant rules so political appointees gain more authority over which programs get funding. The White House rejected suggestions of Republican losses, and spokeswoman Lauren Bis said "commonsense Republicans" will keep delivering for voters.
Analyst Nathan Gonzales of Inside Elections says Trump has "basically ignored Congress." Andrew Busch of the University of Tennessee expects a Democratic Senate to be reluctant on nominees. The piece also notes courts could strike down actions that exceed the law.
- The Independent (US): ‘Mr. Veto’: Trump maps a path to govern without Congress if Republicans lose control
Center5 outlets
Trump's veto threat and the stakes of Tuesday
The Hill, Border Report and NewsNation all run the headline "Trump says he'll become 'Mr. Veto' if Democrats take Congress." The Hill quotes him saying "I'm not going to let them through." Newsweek, headlined "Trump Says He'll Become 'Mr. Veto' if Democrats Win Midterms," gives the longest account.
It quotes his expectation of a month or two of vetoes followed by a deal, then turns to the White House contingency plans reported by Reuters. It cites a Pew study finding 121 laws passed by this Congress, the second fewest in four decades. It also lists Democratic plans for investigations into Trump family finances and the Iran war, and says some Democrats have floated .
Newsweek adds history on presidents who lost Congress yet still passed laws, and Trump's remarks about a third term. NewsNation's description recalls that Trump had a Republican Congress for the first two years of both terms.
Conservative3 outlets
Trump's "Mr. Veto" remark and a later deal
The Washington Examiner says Trump "teased" that he would become "Mr. Veto," and gives most of the space to his own words from the interview. It quotes him saying it "wouldn't be the first time" a president lacks the House or Senate, and describing vetoes followed by a deal after a month or two. The piece says a Democratic win would leave the president with a hard time passing his agenda without concessions.
It adds that some races may not be called right away, that some predictions have Republicans likely losing the House, and that the Senate remains a , naming Michigan, Ohio, Texas and Maine. A linked headline reports a poll showing voters prefer a Democrat-controlled Congress. The article closes on Trump's campaign travel, aimed at his base and "low propensity voters," to lift Republican candidates statewide.
Which side made the stronger case?
The Independent, citing a White House official, reports that the administration is reviewing new tariffs on imported wind turbines and critical minerals, stricter visa rules for temporary foreign workers and international students, and measures meant to lower construction and housing costs. According to the report, these are options under review.
All sources: 11 articles from 9 outlets
Liberal (2)
- The Independent (US): ‘Mr. Veto’: Trump maps a path to govern without Congress if Republicans lose control
- The Independent (US): 'Mr. Veto:' Trump maps a path to govern without Congress if Republicans lose control
Center (6)
- Border Report: Trump says he'll become 'Mr. Veto' if Democrats take Congress
- Forbes: Trump Says He May Become ‘Mr. Veto’ If Democrats Win Control Of Congress
- NewsNation: Trump says he'll become 'Mr. Veto' if Democrats take Congress
- NewsNation: What happens if Democrats take Congress? Trump's power explained
- Newsweek: Trump Says He’ll Become ‘Mr. Veto’ if Democrats Win Midterms
- The Hill: Trump says he'll become 'Mr. Veto' if Democrats take Congress
Conservative (3)
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