Who can rein in Donald Trump? Nearly a month after the Republican president took office, the roster of potential checks on his power is appearing distinctly limited. Unlike in 2017, when he first won the presidency, activism and social protests have largely quieted. A few demonstrations are planned for February 17, during the President’s Day holiday, at the capitols of around 40 states. However, Democratic voters remain in a state of disbelief, witnessing a scenario that feels beyond imagination. “It feels like I’m living in a movie,” one voter expressed to Le Monde.
And what about Congress? That would be overly optimistic. The Republicans stand firmly behind the president, while the Democrats find themselves in the minority—dispersed and divided between those pushing for outright opposition and those advocating for a cautious, strategic approach, looking ahead to the midterm elections in 2026. As for Wall Street? Trump’s policies might be “so self-defeating that he has to back down,” commented political scientist Francis Fukuyama during a conference hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on February 12.
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