While it is now clear that Democrat Joe Biden will win the US presidential election, his inauguration is not until January 20, 2021. What can President Donald Trump do until then?
A president who is not reelected or is at the end of his final term is also called a lame duck president mentioned. Loosely translated: a lame duck.
That does not mean that Trump has now surrendered all his power. In principle nothing will change. The chance that he can still achieve great things in collaboration with Congress is small, although a financial aid package is still being negotiated to deal with the corona crisis. Congress is now partly in Democratic (House of Representatives) and partly Republican (Senate) hands, so they have to come to a deal together. The Democrats certainly do not want to cooperate in deals that the president can still profit politically.
Trump can still issue presidential decrees. These are binding decisions taken by the president, although the effect is mainly limited by financial and practical reasons. Still, political analysts in the US argue that a series of decrees can be expected, which Biden can immediately reverse. For really large assignments, money is needed anyway, and that’s what Congress is all about.
The same goes for military activities. Yes, Trump is the commander-in-chief. So if he wants to clandestinely launch a missile attack on – say – an Iranian general in Iraq, he can. But for larger military operations, he needs Congress. Only Congress can declare war on another power.
Trump can use the presidential pardon
Trump can mainly use his power for things pertaining to himself and his environment. The ‘pardon’ is an important means in this regard. There are some prosecutors under investigation into Trump himself and his companies, but as long as he is president, Trump is inviolable. The president has the power to pardon those suspected of “crimes against the United States.” He can also give himself such a presidential pardon. At least, Trump himself thinks it is possible.
In recent years, a number of people in close proximity to Trump have been convicted. For example, his advisor Roger Stone, who was sentenced to 40 months in prison in February for obstructing justice in the Russia investigation, making false statements and influencing witnesses. His sentence was waived by Trump in July.
Esper out, Wray also fears for a job
In addition, Trump can of course fire people. Defense Minister Mark Esper was announced on Monday (via Twitter) fired by the president and also and FBI Director Christopher Wray has taken to Trump. Chances are that he too will have to clear out his office before January 20.
Trump would also love to fire the American top virologist Anthony Fauci, but he would Politico result in such a long process that it will probably not succeed before Biden takes over the helm on January 20.
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