Trump prepares to expand executive authority and bypass Congress after Democrats win control of both chambers
U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to rely more heavily on executive powers to advance his administration's agenda after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, according to CNN.
Trump's advisers have spent months examining ways to implement major policy priorities without congressional approval, including measures involving immigration, federal spending and other areas of domestic policy.
Senior administration officials have been reviewing the legal boundaries of presidential authority and identifying actions the White House could pursue independently of lawmakers.
The preparations involve Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and White House legal advisers.
Among the measures under consideration are tighter visa restrictions for international students and temporary foreign workers, new tariffs on selected imports and changes to federal grant programs.
Vought has also been examining how the administration could use funds already approved by Congress to pursue its priorities without requiring additional legislation.
White House lawyers have been assessing how far Trump could exercise presidential authority and how the administration might defend its decisions against legal challenges.
The president has been briefed on the preparations and participated in discussions about the available options.
Democratic control of the House and Senate will allow the opposition party to block legislation, scrutinize federal spending and investigate the administration through congressional committees.
Democrats will also have greater influence over the confirmation of senior administration officials and federal judicial appointments.
Trump, however, retains the authority to issue executive orders within existing law and veto legislation passed by Congress.
The White House has also been preparing for congressional investigations, with legal advisers reviewing how officials should respond to subpoenas, document requests and demands for testimony.
Trump previously suggested that he could initially rely on presidential vetoes before negotiating agreements with Democratic lawmakers.
The administration's plans would allow the president to continue pursuing selected immigration, trade and spending policies without new legislation, although executive actions remain subject to legal challenges and judicial review.