WASHINGTON, November 2. /TASS/. The White House has been working for months to advance US President Donald Trump’s agenda through executive actions that sidestep Congress if Democrats secure control of the legislature in the midterm elections, Reuters reported, citing sources.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and White House Counsel Will Scharf’s office are drawing up the plans, the agency said. The administration is considering new tariffs on critical minerals and wind turbines, stricter visa rules for foreign students and temporary workers, and measures to reduce housing costs that Trump could implement without congressional approval. According to a White House official, Trump’s team is examining what the president "can legally do on his own, where he could push the limits of his authority and how to defend those decisions in court."
White House lawyers are advising officials on how to respond to congressional requests and investigations and have sought a Justice Department opinion on the president’s right to keep private communications with advisers shielded from congressional scrutiny, Reuters reported.
Trump previously said he will become "Mr. Veto" if Democrats win a majority in either chamber of Congress in the midterm elections.
The US will hold its congressional midterm elections on November 3, with one-third of Senate seats and all House of Representatives seats contested. Republicans currently control both chambers.