Trump says Republicans will win the midterms but vows to use his veto and force deals with Democrats if Washington falls into gridlock

U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects Republicans to win the November 3 midterm elections but argued that even if the result produces divided government, he could use his veto power to block Democratic legislation and force negotiations.

“I think Republicans are going to win,” Trump said. “But if there’s gridlock, what happens is I veto everything, and the Democrats come in and make a deal.”

The midterms will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s presidency. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers, while Democrats are favored to gain control of the House and the Senate remains closely contested.

Trump has made a similar argument repeatedly during the campaign. In September, he said that if Democrats took control of Congress he would become a “blocker,” veto measures he opposed and probably still be able to negotiate agreements with them.

A Democratic victory in one or both chambers could sharply limit Trump’s ability to advance legislation, while giving Democrats greater control over spending negotiations, congressional investigations and committee agendas.

Trump would retain presidential veto power. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, a threshold Democrats are not expected to reach even if they win both chambers.