US midterm: Democrats got it right, but what next?

From January, Washington will have two competing centres of authorityA Republican White House seeking to protect its programme and a Democratic Congress elected to challenge it. How easily can Donald Trump secure laws, appointments and money?His appointments face a new gatekeeperThe Senate victory gives Democrats something House control alone could not: authority to reject nominees for federal judgeships, Cabinet posts and ambassadorships. Any Supreme Court vacancy would therefore become a major confrontation.His administration faces investigatorsDemocrats will control committees that can summon witnesses, seek documents and examine administration decisions. Hearings could force officials to defend their conduct publicly and reveal information the White House would prefer to withhold. Oversight becomes a continuing pressure.Money becomes a negotiationGovernment funding will require bargaining with the opposition. Democrats can seek concessions through spending legislation; Trump can refuse to sign it.