Trump vows to use veto, executive powers to push his agenda if Democrats win Congress

Washington, Nov 4 (UNI) President Donald Trump said he would not be deterred by a Democratic takeover of Congress, vowing to use his veto power and expansive executive authority to advance his agenda. "I have the ultimate power, it's called 'veto,'" Trump said in a phone interview with CBS News conducted before polls closed in Tuesday's midterm elections.adding that he welcomed the nickname "Mr. Veto" should Democrats win a majority in the House or Senate. Trump said he believed repeated vetoes would eventually push Democrats to the negotiating table. "Historically, you veto for a couple of months and then they come and say, 'We've got to make a deal,'" he said. Results that came in after the interview showed Democrats notching three early battleground victories in Georgia, New Hampshire and North Carolina, as per US media reports. North Carolina marked a flip from Republican to Democratic control. Thirty-five Senate seats are up for election, and Democrats must gain a net four to win the majority. Trump said repeated vetoes would eventually push Democrats to the negotiating table. "Historically, you veto for a couple of months and then they come and say, 'We've got to make a deal,'" he said. The Republican president pointed to a Supreme Court decision earlier this year, Trump v. Slaughter, in which the justices ruled 6-3 that he could fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter. Trump said the ruling gives him sweeping control over federal agencies, boards and commissions regardless of which party controls Congress. "The Slaughter case gives the president tremendous powers that it never had before," he said. Two people close to Trump, speaking on condition of anonymity also revealed that discussions on further executive actions have taken place in recent weeks, with deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought playing central roles. Immigration and trade are among the areas under consideration, CBS cited two sources as saying. One of the people said that even if Democrats gain power, Trump would "keep the power to do almost everything he wants" on trade, the border, management of the federal government, foreign policy and national security. Trump said he expects to finish a new White House ballroom in 2027 and begin work on a proposed 250-foot arch in Washington, which has faced legal challenges. He described the arch as "a celebration of success." UNI AAB