Democrats got it right, but what next?

From January, Washington will have two competing centres of authorityA Republican White House seeking to protect its programme and a Democratic Congress elected to challenge it. How easily can Donald Trump secure laws, appointments and money?His appointments face a new gatekeeperThe Senate victory gives Democrats something House control alone could not: authority to reject nominees for federal judgeships, Cabinet posts and ambassadorships. Any Supreme Court vacancy would therefore become a major confrontation.His administration faces investigatorsDemocrats will control committees that can summon witnesses, seek documents and examine administration decisions. Hearings could force officials to defend their conduct publicly and reveal information the White House would prefer to withhold. Oversight becomes a continuing pressure.Money becomes a negotiationGovernment funding will require bargaining with the opposition. Democrats can seek concessions through spending legislation; Trump can refuse to sign it. That creates opportunities for compromise, alongside the danger of shutdowns and prolonged fiscal confrontations.But Trump has veto powerTrump can veto their bills. Overriding him requires two-thirds of members voting in each chamber. Under Senate rules, most legislation also needs 60 votes to overcome obstruction through a filibuster. Winning a majority therefore gives Democrats much greater power to block Trump than to enact their own programme.Nor does impeachment automatically mean removal. The House can bring charges, but conviction requires two-thirds of senators present.Trump retains substantial executive authority and can continue pursuing policies through presidential orders, subject to legal limits.The likely result is a presidency facing more resistance, scrutiny and bargaining. Each side will also have a new argument for 2028, that the other prevented it from delivering.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.