MNI POLITICAL RISK - Trump Eyes Powerful Unifed Government

Executive summary:

• As the dust settles on President-Elect Donald Trump’s comprehensive victory, focus turns to the formation of a second Trump administration.
• If the GOP can secure 53 or 54 Senate seats, Democrats can not lean on two moderate Republican senators to play the Manchin/Sinema role in blocking legislation taken under budget reconciliation.
• Although House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remains outwardly positive about flipping control of the House, the GOP is strongly favoured to retain a razor-thin majority in the lower chamber and hand Trump a unified government.
• Trump's advisors told reporters that 'Day One priorities' include executive orders on border security, oil drilling, and other measures to promote energy independence.
• Trump’s legal problems are likely to evaporate in the coming days, with Special Council Jack Smith in discussions on winding down his cases.
• Senate Republicans will meet on Wednesday to elect a successor to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) -  a vocal Trump critic, and Ukraine’s primary Republican backer in Congress.
• Trump may look to business when he stocks his national security team, after being burned during his first term by appointing former generals who opposed his foreign policy agenda.
• President Biden is expected to use the next three months to accelerate aid to Ukraine. Biden may also apply pressure on Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to consider retiring to allow the Democrat-controlled Senate the possibility of confirming a liberal replacement.
• Poll of the Day: Small shifts in the ‘Blue Wall’ delivered Trump his Electoral College victory. 

Please find the full article attached below: US Daily Brief