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A day ahead of the US midterm elections, US President Donald Trump has warned that he will use his presidential veto power to block Democratic legislation if Republicans lose control of Congress in polls, saying he will not allow his political opponents to undo his administration's work.
In an interview with New York Post's 'Pod Force One' podcast, Trump said he had a straightforward response if Democrats managed to take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
"I guess I'll become Mr. Veto," Trump told Devine.
"I'm not going to let them ruin it," he added, making clear that a Democratic takeover would not necessarily bring his legislative agenda to a halt.
Trump suggested that although he would initially reject legislation sent to his desk, negotiations could eventually follow as Democrats seek to move their priorities through Congress.
"And then at some point, we'll probably make deals. That's what's happened. I mean, this wouldn't be the first time." He explained how he expected such a standoff to unfold, saying Democrats could repeatedly send bills to the White House only to have them rejected.
WHY THE MIDTERMS MATTER FOR TRUMP
The midterm elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress during the remaining two years of Trump's presidency. The results could significantly influence how easily the White House can advance legislation, secure funding and implement its domestic agenda.
Democrats are widely favoured to regain control of the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-214 majority. The chamber also has one independent member and two vacant seats. According to the Cook Political Report, 222 House seats are rated as solid, likely or leaning Democratic, compared with 195 in Republican-leaning categories, while 18 remain toss-ups. The Senate presents a tighter contest. Republicans currently hold 53 seats against 45 for Democrats, while two independents caucus with the Democrats, giving the GOP a 53-47 advantage. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the upper chamber.
According to the New York Post, nine competitive races are currently being fought in states represented by Republicans, compared with three in Democratic-held seats. The Cook Political Report has rated contests in traditionally Republican states, including Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and Texas, as toss-ups.
The electoral challenge comes against a historical pattern that has often worked against the party occupying the White House. Since 1938, the president's party has lost seats in the House in all but two midterm elections.
Trump's first presidency offers a glimpse of what divided government could look like. Democrats controlled the House during his final two years in office, while Republicans retained the Senate. That arrangement made it difficult for liberal legislation to pass through Congress and reach the president's desk.
A similar outcome this time could leave Trump facing a Democratic-controlled chamber, or potentially both, for the remainder of his term.
Beyond legislative battles, a Democratic victory could also open another front for the White House. Opposition lawmakers have promised a series of investigations into Trump, his administration and several of his political allies if they regain control of either chamber.
Trump, however, has continued to express confidence that Republicans will retain their congressional majorities. He has been campaigning across the country ahead of Tuesday's vote and has sought to portray a Democratic victory as a threat to his political agenda.
TRUMP OPEN TO PREEMPTIVE PARDONS FOR HIS ALLIES
The possibility of Democratic control also prompted questions about whether Trump would use his presidential pardon powers to protect people who served in his administration from potential prosecutions.
During the interview, Trump said he would consider issuing preemptive pardons to former and current administration officials if he believed they needed protection from legal action under a future Democratic-controlled Congress.
"I would if I needed to. Sure," he told Devine.
When asked whether that would extend to everyone who had worked for him, Trump reaffirmed his position.
"I'd do it," he said. "I did it for J6."
Trump was referring to his decision on his first day back in office in January 2025 to pardon roughly 1,500 defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
He also drew a comparison with former President Joe Biden, who issued a series of preemptive pardons during his final hours in office. Those pardoned included Dr Anthony Fauci, retired Gen Mark Milley, members and staff of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack, and several of Biden's relatives, including his son Hunter.
"That's what Biden did. He gave everybody a pardon," Trump said.
TRUMP SAYS HE WISHES HE COULD RUN AGAIN
The US President also addressed the prospect of becoming a lame duck during the final two years of his presidency, acknowledging that he would like to seek another term if the Constitution allowed it.
"I'd love to run again if I had the chance, but the language is very exacting," he said, referring to the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two elected terms.
Trump also cited a poll that he claimed showed him defeating potential opponents by a wide margin, although he acknowledged that he could not run again under the constitutional restrictions.
"They had a poll the other day where I'd beat everybody by so much, I'd love to run, but it's fine. You know, we have more than two years left. That's a long time. You can do a lot in that period of time, and you've seen the job we've done."
Despite the unfavourable polling for Republicans, Trump dismissed predictions of a Democratic victory, questioning the credibility of surveys suggesting his party could lose control of Congress.
"We'll know on Tuesday night," he said.
With voters heading to the polls on November 3, Trump's immediate challenge is to keep Republicans in control of the House and Senate. If they fail, he has signalled that he is prepared to rely on vetoes, negotiations and executive powers to protect his agenda.
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