In January, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the next president of the United States – and then the pace seems to be high. A mapping of Washington Post shows that Trump has given a total of 41 concrete promises that he must fulfill during the first day alone.
The fact that the Republicans then appear to control both the House of Representatives and the Senate – while the Supreme Court also consists of a majority of conservative judges – will be decisive for Trump’s chances. That’s what Fredrik Bergman Evans, lawyer and expert on American law, says.
– You have to bear in mind that it is not the president who makes laws, but Congress. But in recent years, Trump has taken a strong hold on the party, so he will be able to take the lead on many legislative issues, he says.
The basics limit
That said, Trump’s second term is not entirely without limitations. One of them is time. According to the US Constitution, US presidents can only serve two terms, so this will be his last.
– Then you shouldn’t forget that mid-term elections are held after two years. It’s not at all unusual for a president who comes in very strong and doesn’t deliver to lose the majority in Congress, so the first two years are going to be very important.
Should Trump want to change the constitution so that he can stand for re-election yet again, it will also be difficult.
– Amending the constitution requires a large process in which the states must participate and vote and a qualified majority (three quarters, editor’s note) of the states is required. He won’t get that.
“Shouldn’t be afraid”
However, there are other ways for Donald Trump to leave a more long-term mark on American politics. For example, it could be about how he designs the Supreme Court, which has the task of interpreting the law.
– Trump has already nominated a record number of judges there. There is much to suggest that he will appoint judges this time as well, and they sit for life.
However, Bergman Evans sees it as unlikely that Trump could turn the entire political system upside down, as his critics often express.
– I don’t think you should be so afraid that Trump can destroy American democracy. I think it will be like during his last term. People will be worried, but the US has strong democratic institutions.