Everything about the first few months of Donald Trump’s second administration was unprecedented, odd and dismissive of previously unquestioned norms. The common wisdom was that Trump was immune to political reality. This alternate reality was the real reality as long as enough people bought into it. It allowed him to accomplish a lot. 

We now will find out how his ungrounded and ruleless nature plays out as the pendulum swings back. The story of November 18–the day the House and then the Senate sent a bill requiring the release of the Epstein files–need not be rehashed here other than to say that it clearly indicated that Congress reestablished itself as a check on the president.

A less than supine Congress is one of the reasons that Trump’s second year will be significantly different from the first. Power is a zero-sum game. An emboldened Congress is a reduced executive branch. Trump will, however, still have the power of the presidency and the willingness to use it in unique and dangerous ways. Frustration and anger likely will exacerbate that tendency.

Congress Finds a Backbone

Congress also will think beyond Trump. It’s an election year so the House and Senate will try to fool the electorate into thinking they are functional and get things done. Taking Trump on will be seen as a good way to get reelected by both Democrats and Republicans. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is proving to be a surprisingly adroit politician, clearly realizes this. Congress suddenly — be shocked — shocked!–by the illegality that went on during the first year of the Trump regime.

The context beyond the Congress/Trump dynamic also points to the Democrats. Indeed, the biggest factor controlling what will happen next year is the economy. And, as The Conversation points out, it all points leftward:

The resounding victories in recent elections by Democrats Zohran Mamdani in New York, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey has reinvigorated the party after a dismal year since Donald Trump became president.

Hopefully, 2026 will be less dismal and a bit more boring. Tedium is a good thing when the alternative is illegally arresting and deporting people, keeping hungry kids from eating, doing nothing while ACA premiums explode, funneling billions of tax dollars to prop up the economy of a random foreign nation and blowing up boats that may or may not be carrying drugs.

There is great danger in that, however. We all could breathe a sigh of relief and settle into a business-as-usual status quo in which the president is only half as corrupt as he was during more tumultuous times. Or one in which he is just as corrupt but hides it more effectively. 

That brings us back to the purpose of this website. Donald Trump will continue to tell female reporters who ask impertinent questions to “be quiet, piggy,” call New York City mayor-elect Mamdani a communist and do a variety of tactless and classless things. But he will be less able to control legislators and the judiciary overtly as he has been for the past year. Fewer people will kiss the ring.

But he still will be Donald Trump. It is important to get out there and vote, even if things seem to be settling down. In fact, a quieter White House may be more dangerous than the current kindergarten.