CEO Kim Dongseok: "Trump’s Executive Power Will Strengthen Even If He Loses the Election"

Democrats Projected to Win 222-223 House Seats
Republicans Expected to Retain Senate with 51-52 Seats
"Executive President Could Become Even Stronger"
Trade Pressure on Korean Companies May Continue

There are predictions that even if the Democratic Party regains control of the House of Representatives in the upcoming US midterm elections in November, the power of President Donald Trump will not necessarily weaken; instead, his use of executive authority in governance could be further strengthened. As legislative action through Congress becomes more difficult, it is anticipated that the president will increasingly rely on powers he can exercise independently, such as tariffs, sanctions, and foreign and security policy.

Kim Dongseok, CEO of the Korean American Grassroots Committee (KAGC), holding a briefing on the US midterm elections. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kim Dongseok, CEO of the Korean American Grassroots Committee, stated at the “Outlook for the US Midterm Elections and Response Strategies for Korean Companies” event held at the Teaneck Marriott Hotel in New Jersey on the 10th (local time), organized by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the USA (KORCHAM), "This midterm election does not determine the end of Trump’s power," adding, "The next two years are what worries me most."

CEO Kim strongly dismissed the view that President Trump’s influence will weaken if the Republican Party loses its majority status in the House, stating, "Absolutely not," and, "Trump only increases his actions when his opponents are strong."

He laid out a scenario in which the Democratic Party could recapture a majority in the House with 222 to 223 seats, while the Republicans would still keep control of the Senate with 51 to 52 seats.

Kim remarked, "If the Democrats take the House and the Republicans keep the Senate, Trump’s power will not simply diminish but rather change form." He added, "The 'legislative-type president,' who makes laws, may be weakened, but the 'executive-type president,' who commands, executes, vetoes, and litigates, could become even stronger."

If the Democrats sweep the House, they could step up checks on the Administration through reviews of budgets and bills, holding hearings, and issuing subpoenas. However, many powers that the president can exercise independently, such as tariffs, sanctions, and foreign and security policy, would remain largely intact. The explanation is that, with legislative action through Congress becoming difficult, President Trump is likely to put even more emphasis on policy enforcement through existing laws and executive orders.

CEO Kim stressed that such changes could have a direct impact on Korea, which is heavily affected by US policy, and pointed out the need for extra vigilance especially in the area of trade. His point was that the Republican defeat in the House should not be directly interpreted as an easing of US external trade pressure.

He advised that the Korean government and companies should not depend solely on the White House or the executive branch, but instead build a multi-layered network connecting both houses of Congress, state governments, businesses, and civil society. In particular, he mentioned the need to expand connections with the local political scene in states such as Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, where Korean business investment is most concentrated.

The Korean American Grassroots Committee, which CEO Kim established in 2013, serves as a bridge delivering key issues of the Korean American community to approximately 200 members of the US Congress and their aides.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.