The Trump administration is entering the year 2019 with some uncertainties. The most important development that is going to take place in 2019 for Trump is the “House of Representatives” beginning its new term. The “Democrats” gained the majority of the seats in the House of Representatives in the elections that took place on Nov. 6. The Republicans were controlling both wings of the U.S. Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, before the elections. On Nov. 6, while the Republicans retained the majority in the Senate, they lost the majority in the House. The Senate and the House of Representatives will start the new term with their new members in 2019. More difficult days await Trump in 2019 in Congress.
One of the most important problems awaiting Trump is the Russia Investigation, which has been overseen by special counsel Robert Mueller. This investigation entails the claims that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential elections in favor of Trump. From the start, Trump dubbed this investigation as a “conspiracy” and “witch hunt” against himself. The investigation has not yet put forward a claim that directly accuses Trump. However, many names in Trump’s presidential campaign were convicted of financial crimes which are not related to the elections, and some of them even confessed their crimes. No one really knows what Mueller has on Trump. However, most people believe that we haven’t seen the tip of the iceberg yet. Media also states that after the new House of Representatives starts its new term, more surprising developments may take place. It is believed that the investigation is coming to a close. Accordingly, it seems there will be more action and tension in the House of Representatives about the claims related to Trump.
During his presidential campaign in 2016, Trump promised to build a wall on the Mexican border to prevent the flow of migrants into the U.S. Trump couldn’t find enough support from the mainstream Republicans and the Democrats for this. Moreover, Trump will no longer have the support of the House of Representatives in 2019. A fund has to be allocated in order to build the “Mexican Wall.” However, the Senate hasn’t allocated this fund yet. Trump needs 60 votes from the Senate for the wall. Therefore, a two-party conciliation in the Senate is necessary for the wall. The Democrats, on the other hand, have not approved it. That is why there is currently a government shutdown. How Trump is going to deal with this crisis is a matter of curiosity. Another matter is about the “Health Insurance” policies. Trump wanted to kill off the regulation brought by Obama, but he couldn’t do it. The Democrats in the Congress are strictly opposing him on this issue as well.
It is expected that Trump is going to make many appointments in 2019, including appointments in the judiciary and diplomacy. About 30 federal judges are waiting for approval from the Senate. Meanwhile, appointments to embassies in 45 countries, including Iraq, Ireland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Sweden, are also waiting for the Senate’s approval. Trump will enter 2019 with a new Secretary of Defense, a new White House Chief of Staff and a new Interior Secretary. The secretary of defense resigned after Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is leaving too. The Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has already left his office after the corruption and fraud accusations.
During Trump’s two years as president, there was total chaos in the “White House”. More than 30 top-level authorities either resigned or were fired by Trump. To today, five secretaries in Trump’s cabinet resigned. When we add U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Halley to the list, it becomes six. Because under current conditions, the Ambassador to the UN is also considered as a member of the cabinet. Trump wants to enter the new term with names who are loyal to his political agendas.
