What to expect from Trump as a lame-duck president

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump, facing a tough post-midterm landscape with Democrats controlling Congress, is determined to maintain his influence and may pursue executive actions on immigration, spending, and tariffs to advance his agenda without congressional approval.
• Democrats plan aggressive investigations into Trump and his allies, with the House Oversight Committee preparing subpoenas and hearings, prompting some administration officials to hire personal legal counsel and consider preemptive pardons.
• Trump is expected to increase his focus on foreign policy, particularly regarding the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, potentially resuming military actions in Iran and engaging in upcoming international summits with global leaders.
• Despite his party's midterm losses and waning political capital, Trump remains intent on shaping the Republican Party's future and is beginning discussions about his potential successor for the 2028 presidential race, weighing figures like JD Vance and Marco Rubio.
• While Trump has publicly criticized the midterm results and blamed candidate missteps and alleged fraud, his administration is quietly preparing for the challenges of a divided government and the possibility of further investigations and political battles ahead.