At last, a chance of reining in Trump’s excesses
ALTHOUGH not the midterm election bloodbath many had expected for Donald Trump, his loss of control of the House of Representatives is much more than a victory for the opposition party.
For his first two years in office, his Republican party cronies have allowed the President to run wild as they controlled both of America’s legislative chambers.
But following Tuesday’s vote in which the Democrats seized control of the lower house, Trump now faces scrutiny like never before.
Despite holding on to the Senate, no longer will his previous unbridled power be allowed to determine the way in which America goes.
Now the House of Representatives will be in a position to investigate any number of potential administration transgressions and demand accountability, including the unforgivable separation of migrant children from their parents and the President’s harassment of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russian election meddling investigation.
Perhaps, more tellingly, however, Trump himself will now be held accountable as Democrats return as chairmen of the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees.
Already they are sharpening their pens and preparing to drag Trump through his own swamp, none more so than over the tax returns he has so fiercely refused to release.
There is little wonder, moments after conceding defeat, Trump called opposition Minority leader Nancy Pelosi to call for peace.
His conversation came as some new members of the House expressed their desire to have Trump investigated and possibly impeached.
Given the dismal display so far by the US leader, the opposition now has an opportunity, and also a heavy responsibility.
Winning the House is one thing. Restoring some sanity to American politics is another.