# Is There Any Element of the Republican Congress Which Might Check Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 11, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436 "2016-11-11T01:16:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/1 "2016-11-11T01:16:45Z")
OK, if Trump should turn out to be a true disaster- say, using his office for the gain of his businesses, really crossing some of the lines we’ve set out, using the office to go after his rivals in an IRS auditing, Nixonian manner Do we know that there are at least a few of the Republican congress who would work with Democrats to put him in his place? Or is there just no hope thanks to partisanship? I’m really wondering about specific names that we might count on to be there… ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/2 "2016-11-11T01:28:16Z")
Cruz - Even inside his own party he’s seen as an uncompromising dick. Trump personally attacked his wife. The downside is Cruz might still feel like he needs to play ball to challenge in 2020. That was enough for the “vote your conscious” to endorsement swing. McCain - Just won a 6 year term and is already 80. Talk about limited chance for repurcussions if he says fuck it all. Personally attacked over his POW experience. Rubio - Said he didn’t want to run this time so potentially losing in 6 years might not be that scary. Personally attacked by Trump. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/3 "2016-11-11T01:29:49Z")
Party before country. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/4 "2016-11-11T01:30:49Z")
Trump isn’t really a Republican, so he will probably have many policies that don’t fit the GOP orthodoxy. There is no way of knowing how that will go down with Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/5 "2016-11-11T01:33:45Z")
It really depends what the subject is, and what Trump’s solution is. His opposition will vary wildly based on that, in amount and name. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/6 "2016-11-11T01:41:57Z")
It seems safe to say that the vast majority of Republicans in Congress feel strongly that Pence would be a much better President, which is a basically unprecedented situation. Obviously, they’re not going to impeach him without some good reason, but I think, especially if his approval ratings tank, he’s going to be on a pretty short leash. I hope to God I’m right. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/7 "2016-11-11T02:48:41Z")
Basically, the Congressional GOP hopes he just spends the next four years occupying himself with embezzlement and sex crimes, and let them run the country. If he tries to actually set some sort of legislative agenda that conflicts with the right-wing agenda, the Constitution, and/or the laws of physics…I think it really depends on how popular he is. They would be happy to throw him under the bus if they think the voters won’t punish them for it. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/8 "2016-11-11T03:45:44Z")
The Republican Party is still factionalized and Trump introduces yet another faction into the mix. There will be power struggles, you can be sure of that. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/9 "2016-11-11T04:20:24Z")
Sure. If Trump actually introduces any legislation to benefit the white working class, Republicans in Congress will make sure it doesn’t pass. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/10 "2016-11-11T04:30:43Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Sure. If Trump actually introduces any legislation to benefit the white working class, Republicans in Congress will make sure it doesn’t pass. Just out of curiosity, what sort of legislation could this possibly be, distinct from legislation which benefits the working class as a whole? ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/11 "2016-11-11T05:51:39Z")
Well, the Republicans who couldn’t stomach Trump sure seem to be rallying around the winner. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/12 "2016-11-11T06:07:33Z")
> [@MoodIndigo1](#): > > Well, the Republicans who couldn’t stomach Trump sure seem to be rallying around the winner. ☹ Because they know he’s easy to manipulate. They don’t give two fucks about him, but he’s going to be in the position to sign their bills and they know he rates an idea based on how much praise the person saying it has given him. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/13 "2016-11-11T06:29:20Z")
I think if there was a military threat and it looked like President Trump was seriously considering abandoning a treaty obligation, Republicans in Congress would override him. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/14 "2016-11-11T06:33:15Z")
This brings up a thread I saw a long time ago on this board: What happens if Congress declares war but the President doesn’t wanna? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/15 "2016-11-11T07:50:26Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > If he tries to actually set some sort of legislative agenda that conflicts with the right-wing agenda, the Constitution, and/or the laws of physics…I think it really depends on how popular he is. They would be happy to throw him under the bus if they think the voters won’t punish them for it. If the legislature can fail to approve a justice, I suspect that the executive can fail to nominate one. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/16 "2016-11-11T08:05:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > What happens if Congress declares war but the President doesn’t wanna? Technically, it doesn’t matter. President McKinley opposed the Spanish-American War but Congress went ahead and declared war over his objections. Granted, as Commander-in-Chief, a President would have broad powers to “slow down” a war he opposed even if Congress forced him to fight it. But I think once American troops became involved, any President who was perceived as devoting less than a full effort to the war would be in trouble with Congress and with the public. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/17 "2016-11-11T13:58:41Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Technically, it doesn’t matter. President McKinley opposed the Spanish-American War but Congress went ahead and declared war over his objections. > > Granted, as Commander-in-Chief, a President would have broad powers to “slow down” a war he opposed even if Congress forced him to fight it. But I think once American troops became involved, any President who was perceived as devoting less than a full effort to the war would be in trouble with Congress and with the public. Would a failure to conduct a war in the appropriate manner (that is, willful negligence) be grounds for impeachment? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/18 "2016-11-11T14:09:56Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Just out of curiosity, what sort of legislation could this possibly be, distinct from legislation which benefits the working class as a whole? Scrapping affirmative action? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/19 "2016-11-11T14:33:43Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > It seems safe to say that the vast majority of Republicans in Congress feel strongly that Pence would be a much better President, which is a basically unprecedented situation. Obviously, they’re not going to impeach him without some good reason, but I think, especially if his approval ratings tank, he’s going to be on a pretty short leash. I hope to God I’m right. I spent four years in a state with Pence as governor. Despite being one of the people who signed a recall petition on his loathsome ass, I have to agree, Pence would probably be a better PotUS than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436/20 "2016-11-11T14:48:17Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Would a failure to conduct a war in the appropriate manner (that is, willful negligence) be grounds for impeachment? It is my understanding that Congress can vote to impeach for any reason they see fit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-element-of-the-republican-congress-which-might-check-trump/771436.md?page=2)