How Much Power Will Republicans Have Post-Inauguration?

Under the Trump Administration, exactly how much control will Republicans have of the U.S. government?

Control of Congress: Republicans won the majority of the Senate in November with 53 seats, while Democrats won 45 and Independents won two. Republicans also won the House of Representatives with 220 seats, while Democrats won 215. This, in theory, will give Congressional Republicans full control of the Legislative Branch of the federal government; however, Congress members’ votes – even under the same party – don’t always jibe. Similarly, Republican Congress Members can vote for “Democratic” pieces of legislation and vice versa. 

Separation of Powers: The U.S. Constitution ensures a separation of powers among the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government, meaning that one alone cannot have supreme governmental power; however, Republicans will have the majority in all three federal branches after the inauguration. 

Small Government Benefits: Republicans are set to have a significant amount of power in the federal government, but state governments have powers as well. The 10th Amendment states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Fear-Mongering or Valid Concerns: Trump is often referred to by his opponents as a “dictator,” and many continue to voice concerns about potential abuses of power. Those on both the left and right routinely accuse the other side of “fear-mongering,” one way or the other; but how Trump will use his newfound power remains to be seen.