WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly been preparing for months for the possibility that Democrats could gain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. According to a Reuters report, the White House is developing a strategy to advance key parts of Trump’s political agenda through executive powers while preparing for potential congressional investigations into his administration.
Senior officials, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Budget Director Russell Vought, have reportedly been working with the White House Counsel’s Office since April. Their efforts focus on identifying administrative measures concerning immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending that the president could implement without seeking fresh approval from Congress.
White House Counsel Will Scharf and his legal team are also examining the constitutional and legal limits of presidential authority. According to a White House official cited by Reuters, the review aims to establish what Trump can legally accomplish independently, how far his executive powers can extend and how potential challenges to such decisions could be defended in court.
The administration’s preparations reflect concerns that a Democratic-controlled Congress could create significant obstacles for Trump’s legislative agenda. Democrats would gain greater opportunities to investigate the administration, scrutinise federal spending and challenge government policies through congressional hearings and oversight proceedings.
Officials are also examining how existing federal funding could be used to advance the president’s priorities without obtaining new congressional appropriations. The discussions reportedly involve possible changes to federal grant procedures and greater involvement of political appointees in funding decisions. However, these measures remain under consideration rather than confirmed policy changes.
Another major concern for the White House is the possibility of congressional investigations. Democratic lawmakers could issue subpoenas, request official documents and conduct hearings involving administration officials. White House lawyers have reportedly been preparing political appointees and agency leaders to respond to such inquiries and document requests.
