Congress Turns on Trump as Republicans Join Democrats to Strip Presidential Power

Congress has delivered a stunning and historic blow to President Donald Trump, and the most damaging part is that it came from within his own party. In a rare move that almost never happens in modern American politics, the U.S. Senate voted 81–13 to override Trump’s veto of a $741 billion defense bill, marking the first time Congress has successfully overridden one of Trump’s vetoes. Veto overrides require a two-thirds majority in both chambers, a threshold so high that it usually guarantees a president’s party will rally to protect him. This time, that protection collapsed, sending a clear signal that Trump’s authority is no longer untouchable.

The vote exposed a growing fracture inside the Republican Party. A significant number of GOP lawmakers openly sided with Democrats, breaking party discipline and defying the president on record. While the White House attempted to downplay the outcome, the political damage was undeniable. The override was not just about defense spending. It was a declaration that Congress is no longer willing to rubber-stamp Trump’s decisions simply because he holds the office. For any sitting president, this kind of rebellion is a warning sign. For Trump, whose power has always relied heavily on fear and loyalty, it represents a serious erosion of control.

Trump’s response only deepened the crisis. Still enraged over his election loss, he launched a public attack on Senator John Thune after Thune acknowledged that Joe Biden’s victory would not be overturned. In a not-so-subtle threat, Trump urged South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to challenge Thune politically. Instead of intimidating lawmakers back into line, the move appeared to backfire. Rather than retreat, Congress continued pushing forward, increasingly willing to challenge Trump without concern for retaliation.

The rebellion extended beyond vetoes and into national security, an area where presidents traditionally enjoy broad authority. Five Republican senators broke ranks to support a War Powers resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s ability to expand military action in Venezuela without explicit congressional approval. Although the resolution narrowly failed, the vote itself was extraordinary. It signaled deep unease within Trump’s own party about granting him unchecked control over military decisions that could drag the United States into conflict. Congress was effectively saying it no longer trusted the president to act alone when it came to war.

On domestic policy, the pushback has been just as forceful. Congress flatly rejected Trump’s demands for major spending cuts and passed a bipartisan funding deal that ignored his priorities. Lawmakers also advanced legislation extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, despite Trump’s long-standing efforts to dismantle Obamacare. Even more striking, Republican leadership allowed these votes to proceed without shielding the president, a clear break from the norm. One Republican lawmaker openly admitted that supporting a veto override was not about policy differences but about protecting Congress itself from Trump’s attempts to wield power unilaterally. That statement alone captures how far the relationship between Trump and his party has deteriorated.

What makes this moment so significant is not just the outcomes of individual votes, but the pattern they reveal. Congress is systematically testing Trump’s power across multiple fronts: veto authority, war powers, spending control, and legislative influence. Even when these challenges fall short, the margins are shrinking. Each attempt teaches lawmakers that defying Trump carries fewer consequences than once feared. Republicans who break ranks are not losing their seats, not facing immediate political destruction, and not being silenced. As that fear fades, resistance grows.

This is not impeachment, at least not yet. It is something quieter and potentially more damaging. Congress is steadily stripping away the practical power of the presidency while leaving Trump with the title. His ability to veto legislation without consequence, to act unilaterally in foreign conflicts, and to dictate budget priorities is being challenged again and again. The result is a president who still occupies the Oval Office but increasingly struggles to impose his will.

The long-term implications are troubling for Trump. Historically, presidents often lose ground in midterm elections, and if Democrats regain control of the House in 2026, the pressure will intensify. Successful veto overrides would become more likely, war powers could be sharply curtailed, and aggressive investigations could dominate the remainder of his term. Even the idea of impeachment, once dismissed as politically impossible, is beginning to resurface as Republicans show a growing willingness to abandon him.

Political power is built on perception, and perception is shifting rapidly. Congress has learned it can push back against Trump and survive. Each act of defiance makes the next one easier. Each close vote weakens his grip further. If this trajectory continues, Trump risks becoming a president in name only, with Congress increasingly calling the shots behind the scenes.

This is not a single bad week or an isolated setback. It is the opening chapter of a broader power struggle that could define Trump’s second term. Congress is no longer afraid, Republicans are no longer unified, and Trump’s authority is no longer unquestioned. The battle has begun, and for now, Congress appears to be gaining the upper hand.