Trump says he would become 'Mr. Veto' if Democrats win Congress in November midterms

Trump's veto threat

Donald Trump said he expects to become "Mr. Veto" if Democrats win control of Congress in the midterm elections on Tuesday, 3 November. In an interview with the New York Post, excerpts of which Fox News aired on Sunday, 1 November, he said that after a month or two of vetoes the two sides would probably reach deals. He said the outcome was not the first time such a pattern had occurred and that he hoped not to face it.

“I guess I'll become Mr. Veto. And then at some point, we'll probably make deals.”

Democrats need a net gain of four seats in both the House and the Senate to overturn Republican majorities of 218-214 and 53-47. Public polling favours Democrats to take the House, while the Senate race is described as exceptionally close.

White House preparations

According to an administration official and two people familiar with the strategy, the White House has spent several months preparing for a Democratic takeover. Senior aides including deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought have worked with the White House Counsel's Office since April. Their aim is to identify executive measures on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending that Trump could pursue without legislation. Counsel Will Scharf and his staff are assessing what Trump can legally do alone and how to defend those decisions in court.

Reuters noted that a Democratic Congress could open inquiries, block legislation and restrict spending, while Trump would keep broad executive authority over trade, foreign policy and the federal bureaucracy.

Campaign and polls

A national NBC News poll published on Sunday gave Democrats a seven-point lead over Republicans. It put 52% of registered voters in favour of a Democratic-controlled legislature, against 45% for Republicans and 3% undecided. Trump's disapproval stood at 60% and approval at 40%. The White House rejected suggestions of Republican losses and criticised media coverage of the subject.

Trump spent Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida joining telephone rallies for Republican candidates in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan and Florida. In October he held more than 20 rallies in person, according to reports.

Democrats52%

Republicans45%

Undecided3%

Democrats

52 %

Republicans

45 %

Undecided

3 %

Data from the article text