Can Democrats Really Curb Trump? Why the 2026 Midterms May Not Limit the White House

Political analyst Ramesh Ponnuru argues that both parties might be overestimating the stakes of the November 2026 midterm elections. In a recent Washington Post op-ed, Ponnuru suggests that even if Democrats flip the House, their ability to "curb" President Donald Trump remains highly limited. Trump has effectively shifted the governance center of gravity to the White House, utilizing executive orders and emergency powers to bypass the need for new legislation or congressional mandates.

According to Ponnuru, the House’s primary weapon—refusing legislation—is largely ineffective because Trump lacks a broad legislative agenda. Controversial policies like mass deportations and federal job cuts can be executed through administrative channels. Furthermore, the author dismisses the threat of impeachment or investigations, noting they often solidify Trump's base. Ultimately, as long as Trump can ignore Congress, he avoids the traditional "lame duck" status, making 2026 more of a preliminary skirmish for the 2028 presidential race than a decisive blow to his current authority.