Economist Says Trump Governs Without Congress

Justin Wolfers argues the president has largely bypassed Congress as Democrats take control of the House after the midterms.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Economic Indicators

Economist Says Trump Governs Without Congress

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University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers said President Trump has governed almost entirely without Congress, based on his reading of the president's decisions on tariffs, immigration, and the war in Iran. The assessment follows Democrats winning control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.

Why it matters

Wolfers' view frames the post-midterm period as one in which executive action, rather than legislation, drives major economic and foreign policy decisions for the United States. Shifting congressional control could alter how future tariffs, immigration rules and military actions are checked.

Consumer prices rose 3.7% from a year earlier in September, up from 3.4% in August, while gasoline prices climbed 34.2% year over year to a national average of $4.1003 a gallon. Whether these inflation readings will ease in coming months has not been established.

The players

Justin Wolfers

Justin Wolfers is an economist and professor of economics at the University of Michigan who writes commentary on presidential economic policy.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, whose tariff, immigration and Iran policies are central to the economic debate.

The details

Wolfers published a blog post titled 'Platypus Economics' after spending two years reading about Trump's decisions on tariffs, immigration and the war in Iran. Trump told The New York Times he was 'absolutely willing to accept' the election results and said he would become 'Mr. Veto' if Republicans lost the House.

September: consumer prices rose 3.7% year over year.
Early November 2026, Tuesday: midterm elections, with Democrats winning control of Congress.
Early November 2026, Thursday: Wolfers published the 'Platypus Economics' blog post.

Economic Indicators Outlook

The shift in congressional control arrives as September's 3.7% consumer price increase sits above August's 3.4% reading, putting the executive-driven tariff agenda under new scrutiny. The change marks a potential test of how durable unilateral economic action remains under divided government.

Gasoline at $4.1003 a gallon and consumer prices up 3.7% year over year directly affect household budgets for fuel and everyday goods. Shifts in tariff and immigration policy could further influence what families pay at the store.

The takeaway

Economic conditions for households depend heavily on how executive actions and congressional checks interact, so tracking both gasoline prices and policy votes offers a clearer picture of costs ahead. Monitoring monthly inflation readings can show whether price pressures are easing or building.