A NEW ERA IN AMERICAN POLITICS: THE TRUMP TRIFECTA BEGINS

Photo via Reuters

JAMES LONG: On January 21, a panel of Republican strategists outlined how Republicans’ trifecta in the federal government could drastically alter the American political landscape during a conversation titled “What to Expect from a GOP Trifecta,” hosted by the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics).

Following the second inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, the Republican Party now controls both houses of Congress, as well as the presidency. A “Trump Trifecta,” the outcome of Republicans’ sizable election victory in 2024, is now complete. This level of consolidated power across the legislative and executive branches will likely expedite the passage of top Republican policy priorities, such as increased tariffs and border control measures.

The GU Politics panel featured Sharon Soderstrom, former Chief of Staff to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Machalagh Carr, Spring ’24 GU Politics Fellow and former Chief of Staff to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Mike Dubke, Fall ’17 GU Politics Fellow and former Communications Director for the First Trump Administration. The conversation was moderated by GU Politics Executive Director, Mo Elleithee. 

The discussion began with an evaluation of Republicans’ priorities and how the relationship between Congress and the Trump White House would function in practice. Echoing the mission of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Carr emphasized that the common denominator across the GOP agenda is a “reckoning of the size of our federal government.” Nearly all of the trifecta’s time will be spent addressing the economy, the national debt, and national security, she added. 

When it comes to the dynamics of power-sharing between Congress and the Trump Administration, Dubke said “I think the legislative branch is going to drive [the policy agenda] now, more so than the executive branch.” When asked about the potential for disagreements or rifts between Trump and Republicans in Congress, Soderstrom responded that “many members agree with a lot of [Trump’s] policy positions,” and that any party division surrounding topics like January 6th is no longer very prevalent.

The panel then focused on the individuals leading each branch of the GOP trifecta. On Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Soderstrom cited his experience as Republican Whip and knowledge of Senate rules and personalities as chief qualifications. She described Thune as “a person of a lot of principle” and credited him with an “approach to people [that] is humble, but decisive.” 

On Speaker Mike Johnson, Carr said “he learned a lot” during his first fourteen months in office, and that he will be ready to “forge ahead” with Thune as the 119th Congress gets underway. 

Speaking about President Trump, Dubke claimed that “Trump 2.0 is Trump 1.0 with confidence,” arguing that his experience in governing was reflected in the dozens of executive orders signed on day one.

Answering questions from Georgetown students, the panelists expounded upon the role of Elon Musk in the trifecta and Trump’s seemingly erratic foreign policy choices. Carr, who has a background in government oversight, called Musk’s involvement in DOGE “exciting.” Regarding Trump’s recent hostility towards NATO members like Denmark, Dubke maintained that the President’s status as the “ultimate wildcard” was a negotiating strength, not a liability. 

To close, Elleithee asked the panel about whether the GOP could maintain their powerful trifecta in elections to come. “‘Promises made, promises kept’ is going to be the mantra,” responded Dubke. The panelists stressed the importance of the GOP’s success concerning the economy, global peace, and immigration for maintaining control of the American electorate’s trust in 2026 and beyond. 

While it remains to be seen whether the new Republican Trifecta can accomplish everything it set out to achieve, its mere existence is indicative of a new era dawning in American politics. Donald Trump is back, and this time with more governing experience and less internal opposition standing in his way. Both houses of Congress are teeming with his loyalists, all eager to pass an ambitiously conservative policy agenda. 

So, strap in folks, and welcome to the Trump Trifecta. 

James Long (he/him) is a staff writer for On the Record from Knoxville, Tennessee. A freshman in the School of Foreign Service, he plans to major in International Politics and pursue a career in the law or government.