White House Weighs Executive Actions if Democrats Win Congress

White House officials, including deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, budget director Russell Vought and counsel Will Scharf, have spent months examining how President Donald Trump could continue pursuing his agenda if Democrats take control of Congress. The midterm elections will determine control of the House and Senate.

Trump Team Prepares to Push Policy Without Congress

The Trump administration is preparing to govern around Congress if voters give Democrats control of the House or Senate, with senior officials exploring how far the president can go without lawmakers’ approval. The preparations put executive power, and the limits of congressional oversight, at the center of the midterm stakes.

Those involved include deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Russell Vought, who oversees the budget, and White House counsel Will Scharf. Scharf’s team is assessing what Trump can do unilaterally, where his authority might be tested and how the administration could defend its actions in court.

Possible measures span immigration, tariffs, federal spending and housing. Agencies have submitted proposals, while Vought is reviewing how to use funds Congress has already authorized. His office is also considering giving political appointees more control over the distribution of federal grants, which could increase White House influence over spending without new congressional approval.

Democrats need to gain four seats in each chamber to take control. A November 2, 2026 average put them 8.9 points ahead on the generic congressional ballot, and Democrats held leads in each of the seven Senate contests rated toss-ups in a final poll. The Senate outcome remained uncertain.

The plans underscore how a president could seek to advance policies without legislation if voters deliver a divided government. Trump has received briefings and joined conversations about the preparations.

Trump Prepares to Keep Governing if Democrats Win Congress

The White House is preparing for a Democratic Congress by identifying lawful ways President Donald Trump could continue advancing his agenda without new legislation. The work reflects a familiar divide in Washington: whether a president should be able to act decisively when Congress is controlled by the opposing party, or whether such moves risk stretching executive authority.

The officials include deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Russell Vought, who oversees the budget, and White House counsel Will Scharf. Scharf’s team is examining the president’s legal authority and how the administration could defend executive actions in court.

Options under consideration include tariffs, tighter visa rules, housing measures and changes to federal spending. Agencies have submitted proposals, and Vought is reviewing how existing appropriations could fund administration priorities. His team is also considering greater political-appointee control over federal grant distribution.

Democrats need four more seats in each chamber to take control. A November 2, 2026 average showed them ahead by 8.9 points on the generic congressional ballot, while the Senate remained uncertain despite Democratic leads in seven toss-up races in a final poll.

Trump received briefings about the preparations and joined discussions. The plans would give the administration options to continue pursuing policy priorities even if Democrats win control of Congress.