Trump White House maps path to govern without Congress if Democrats win

Reuters reports, citing three people who spoke anonymously, that deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought have been working with the White House Counsel's Office since April to identify executive actions on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending[1].A White House official told Reuters that counsel Will Scharf's team is examining "what Trump can legally do on his own, where he could push the limits of his authority"[1].According to RNZ's version of the Reuters report, plans under consideration include tariffs on critical minerals and wind turbines[3]. Reuters also reports that Trump wants to change federal grant rules to give political appointees more say in which government programs receive taxpayer money[1].Asked how comfortable Trump would be governing this way, one source told Reuters "very comfortable."[1] Trump told the New York Post's Pod Force One podcast that he expects he could issue vetoes for "a month or two" before reaching compromises with Democrats[2].Reuters says one source reported that White House lawyers have been briefing political appointees and agency leaders on how to handle congressional inquiries, document requests and subpoenas, and have advised officials to be careful about what they put in writing[4].The Independent reports that White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said Republicans "will continue to secure our borders, restore law and order"[5]. According to Reuters, opinion polls favor Democrats to win the House, while the Senate remains too close to call[1].