Friedrich Merz says Trump has “largely governed without consulting Congress” and will likely keep doing so

Following Democratic victories in both U.S. legislative chambers, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told a Social Democratic Party economic forum that he expects President Donald Trump to keep using executive orders instead of involving Congress during his remaining time in office. Merz, whose Christian Democrats share government with the SPD, said he took little pleasure in the Democratic win. He predicted changes in budget preparation and in planning for the military. Congress controls federal spending and can shape military matters, including the number of U.S. soldiers stationed in Europe, according to the source. Merz’s remarks place the new Democratic majority against Trump’s preference for acting without legislators.