We formerly said lame-duck presidents were crippled by a lack of clout. We may have to revise that judgment.
It has occurred to Donald Trump that he cannot run again and - to the extent he operates within the parameters of normal presidential action - can do exactly as he chooses between now and Jan. 20, 2029.
I expect him to campaign for Republicans later this year, as it would be to his advantage to have GOP majorities in both houses of Congress. But what happens in 2028 is other people’s problem, not his own.
I can imagine some part of Trump would be just fine with historians treating him as sui generis, one of a kind and non-replicable. Another part would prefer his innovations to continue for another couple of presidential terms. Which one will win? Maybe even he doesn’t yet know.
If he leaves behind what will inevitably be known as the Trump Ballroom, the Tr(i)ump(hal) Arch, and a slimmed down FedGov, maybe that will suffice.
