Will the elections become the beginning of the end of Trump's rule? Even a number of Republicans no longer trust the current President of the United States
The elections to the American Congress, which take place on November 3rd, will influence the last two years of Donald Trump's presidency. Dissatisfaction with his policies, which is spilling over even among Republicans themselves, could help the Democratic Party take control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. What would this mean for American and world politics?
While Democrats currently have 47 senators, Republicans have 53. However, this could change after the elections, the so-called midterms. What's at stake? 35 Senate seats, of which 22 are held by Republicans. Democrats need to gain at least four new seats to be able to have a more significant say in local politics and influence Donald Trump's decision-making.
Economy and foreign policy decide
American voters in recent polls have expressed greater trust in Democrats on economic issues than in Republicans for the first time since 2017. Despite the fact that local gross domestic product growth in the third quarter accelerated to 3.4 percent on an annualized basis from 2.2 percent in the second quarter.
From the October Fox News poll, Trump's support dropped to 36 percent, which is the lowest rating the president has received in this television network's poll during both his previous and current time in the White House. 77 percent of respondents disapprove of his handling of inflation. In the case of tariffs, 69 percent of respondents criticize him. 64 percent of poll participants criticized him for his conduct of foreign policy.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans disagree with the way Trump is leading the conflict in Iran. The majority believes that the conflict will last more than a year. More than 70 percent are concerned about higher fuel prices in connection with the war.
The decline in trust in the current leadership of the country is therefore related both to rising living costs and, for example, disagreement with military engagement in Iran. In a survey by Ipsos agency at the end of October, only 32 percent of adult Americans approve of Trump's actions. This is why the Democratic Party has maintained approximately an 8 percent lead over the Republicans since September.
Mainly Self-Interest
Moreover, the majority of Americans believe that Trump is profiting from office unethically or even illegally and that he is more interested in his own wealth than helping ordinary people, ČTK reported. Meanwhile, Trump's family business is reporting record revenues from new ventures, partly due to his policies, according to the AP agency.
"He doesn't put his country first. I wanted change, but I didn't expect this change," said for example fifty-year-old Democrat from Michigan Oscar Delgado, who voted for Trump in 2024, because he believed he could change things for the better. According to him, the current president has succumbed to greed.
What will happen next
If Democrats gain a majority in the upcoming elections, as polls currently suggest, they will be able to block the president's laws, investigate his administration, and gain crucial influence over federal money.
Democrats will thus have control over lawmaking, parliamentary committees and the consideration of the federal budget. They will be able to block Republican laws, initiate investigations of the administration and exert pressure on the president through funding of the government, military or foreign aid. A Democratic Senate could also reject Trump's nominations of federal judges, ministers or ambassadors.
However, the president would still retain considerable freedom in foreign policy and in issuing executive orders. For example, also in relation to Russia and Ukraine. Democrats could, however, seek faster weapons deliveries, funding for Ukrainian defense or tightening of anti-Russian sanctions. Trump could also veto a law passed by both chambers of Congress and thus prevent it from entering into force. A two-thirds majority of those voting in both chambers is required to override a presidential veto.
The Democratic majority in the House could simultaneously initiate another constitutional impeachment of the president. A simple majority of voting representatives is sufficient for this. However, it must be added that impeachment itself does not yet mean removal from office. A two-thirds majority of the Senate decides on the president's guilt. If this were to happen, Trump would be replaced in office by Vice President J. D. Vance.
Some American media, such as PBS news, even claim that Democrats are preparing a "vast oversight agenda". The result is to be an investigation of the president himself, his family and administration for alleged corruption and abuse of power.
The bottom line: if current assumptions were to come true, it would practically mean the end of Donald Trump's legislative agenda. He would still be able to govern through executive orders, but he would no longer be able to pass new laws without their support.
The first election results should start coming in during the night of November 3rd to 4th, our time. However, it is not certain that the final balance of power in Congress will be known within a few hours. The United States spans several time zones. While counting may already be underway on the East Coast, voting may still be taking place in the West.
From the described facts, it follows that it is not at all simple to completely outmaneuver the current president from political life. At the same time, it is true that Donald Trump's mandate will last until January 2029. The next regular presidential election will take place in November 2028.
Sources: author's article, ČTK, PBS News, Fox news
