This means that when he is inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump immediately becomes a lame duck president. Just as important, recognizing the limitations on a Trump presidency is a first step toward holding Trump in check. Of course, it’s hard to imagine a wholesale intraparty rebellion, because Republicans have caved in to Trump again and again. But GOP politicians who hope for long and happy political futures are starting to think beyond this moment to the time when Trump is gone. But GOP politicians now face a question they never had to ask about Trump: How much are they willing to risk on behalf of a lame-duck president?

Source: Washington Post November 21, 2024 21:07 UTC