Election results to determine the rest of Trump’s term

If Republicans lose the Senate, it would limit Trump’s ability to make lifetime judicial appointments and name new cabinet secretaries. Today’s US midterm elections will have a huge impact on the rest of President Donald Trump’s term, affecting his room for maneuver on personnel and policy with key implications for relations with allies. The House of Representatives’ projected flip to Democratic control could trigger impeachment trials. If Republicans also lose the Senate — a serious possibility — it would limit Trump’s ability to make lifetime judicial appointments and name new cabinet secretaries should he dismiss any: The defense secretary is reportedly in the firing line. Those constraints on Trump’s power could drive him to focus even more on foreign policy, where the legislature has less control. A “lame duck” Trump could become an “ angry duck,” a senior European lawmaker told Politico.