Trump team doubles down on executive power after midterm losses

President Donald Trump's administration is signaling it will intensify its use of executive power following the Republican midterm defeat, with no signs of concession to voters' apparent demand for restraints. The White House appointed Stephen Miller as chief of staff, a key architect of aggressive policies, signaling a harder-line approach. Attorney General Todd Blanche warned Democrats on CNN that they should be "worried" about potential criminal probes, while incoming Democratic leaders like Rep. Robert Garcia vowed to pursue constitutional oversight of the administration. The first major test comes this week with a potential House impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which will gauge Republican support for Trump amid the election fallout. The confrontation sets the stage for a contentious political year, with Democrats planning investigations into alleged corruption and misconduct, while the administration frames such oversight as illegitimate "lawfare." Both parties face risks, as voters primarily prioritized cost-of-living concerns over partisan battles, and experts warn against Democratic overreach.