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Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

The Capitol building, seat of the US Congress, in Washington, D.C.

Domestic Policy and Society

In the congressional and presidential elections in November 2024, the Democrats lost their majority in the Senate and, despite some gains, narrowly remain the minority in the House of Representatives. In the presidential election, they were defeated in all of the decisive states where the outcome of the election was uncertain (“swing states”). Since their defeat while facing the aggressive approach of the Trump administration, the Democrats appear weak and disoriented. The vast majority of Republican members of Congress are closely aligned with President Trump’s agenda and only sparingly exercise their constitutional supervisory and control functions. This is increasingly undermining the system of separation of powers and checks and balances. Although the courts, as the third branch, repeatedly refute the actions of the executive and its expansive claims to power, they have few opportunities to effectively enforce their judgments without the support of Congress and the administrative state. Democratic norms and the rule of law are being increasingly eroded and the future of the United States as a liberal democracy is uncertain.

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