President Donald Trump signaled he will lean on vetoes and executive action after Democrats won control of Congress, according to an interview he gave to CBS News that was described by the Western Journal.
The Western Journal said that, as of 6:41 a.m. Eastern, The New York Times tallied Democrats at 228 House seats and 54 Senate seats — enough to control both chambers but short of a veto-proof margin.
‘Mr. Veto’ and the power he’s counting on
“I have the ultimate power — it’s called ‘veto,’” Trump told CBS News as polls closed, per the Western Journal. CBS News also reported that he “welcomes” being called “Mr. Veto,” according to the Western Journal’s account.
Executive authority and a disputed case reference
The Western Journal reported that CBS News noted Trump has observed how “recent Supreme Court decisions” have expanded executive latitude “even if Congress tries to block him.” In the interview, Trump cited what he called Trump v. Slaughter — described in the Western Journal piece as a 6–3 ruling earlier this year that allowed him to remove Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter — and said it gives the president sweeping control over many agencies, boards, and commissions. “We won the Slaughter case and the Slaughter case gives the president tremendous powers that it never had before,” he said, per the Western Journal’s recounting.
Working without Congress — and forcing talks
Trump said he plans to push his agenda through federal actions even without congressional backing. “The presidency, our presidency, is considered a strong presidency,” he told CBS News, according to the Western Journal. “You can do a lot.” He added that vetoes could bring Democrats to the table: “Historically, you veto for a couple of months and then they come and say, ‘We’ve got to make a deal.’”
The Western Journal also cited an unnamed White House official who told CBS News the midterm results would not affect the president’s agenda, saying Trump would “keep the power to do almost everything he wants,” particularly on immigration and national security.
Renovations to continue
Trump said he will proceed with White House renovations already underway, including a controversial ballroom. “I actually enjoy doing it,” he said, according to the Western Journal’s account of the CBS interview. “I’ll be finishing that… It’s a ballroom and military complex.”
Vote counts were still being finalized at the time of the tallies cited by the Western Journal.
