The outcome of congressional races that have yet to be called could affect his ability to carry out his policy agenda. But there are signs that Biden and Harris support tougher border security, which has shifted the immigration debate — even among Democrats — in their direction.
Trump said during the election campaign that he would quickly end the protracted wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. But he was tight-lipped about the details. His critics fear that his adoration of global powers, primarily Russian President Vladimir Putin, is a harbinger of a more authoritarian course at home. For Ukraine, it could mean being forced into a bad deal to end years of Russian occupation.
Trump’s opponents worry that his broad authoritarian streak will lead him to follow through on threats to harass, prosecute and even deport political opponents, including officials who prosecuted him.
In September, Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth: “WHEN I WIN, THE PEOPLE OF FIELD WILL BE TRIED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, including long prison terms.” “Please note that this legal disclosure applies to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, and Corrupt Election Officials.”
The vow marked a new chapter in the ongoing saga of his refusal to admit he was beaten in a free and fair election when he lost to Biden in 2020. This culminated in his January 6, 2021, rally on the Ellipse, the outdoor grounds at the foot of the White House, where he called on his supporters to march on the Capitol, where lawmakers were set to ratify his loss.
Pro-Trump mobs sacked Congress, injured scores of police and threatened to hang Vice President Mike Pence, who had vowed to accept the results. A multi-pronged campaign to sway the election led to Trump’s second House impeachment and federal criminal charges.
Although there is no evidence that he won the 2020 election, he never accepted. In a way, his supporters never gave up either.