Trump's Next Two Years: A Presidency Without Limits

Donald Trump faces the most unpredictable two years of his presidency after a hostile midterm election, with no intention of compromise and threats to use the "tremendous power of the presidency" through systematic vetoes and extreme interpretations of Supreme Court rulings to neutralize opposition investigations. Unlike past presidents Clinton and Bush who pivoted to moderation after midterm defeats, Trump historically responds to losses with rage and destructive reactions, even when self-harming. A fully Democratic-controlled Congress can launch investigations into corruption and family business dealings, but may struggle to constrain his foreign policy actions. An ex-Republican official warns that domestic constraints will push Trump to vent on foreign policy, where executive power grants more freedom, particularly regarding military decisions and intelligence operations that Congress finds difficult to oppose.