US President Donald Trump has declared he will block all legislation passed by Congress if Democrats win control of both chambers in Tuesday's midterm elections, warning that a Democratic sweep would leave the country 'finished.' Trump also acknowledged that the 22nd Amendment bars him from seeking a third term, while expressing that he would 'love to run again.'

The Veto Threat

Speaking to New York Post columnist Miranda Devine in an interview for the newspaper's 'Pod Force One' podcast released on Monday, Trump said: 'I think we're going to do great. But if we didn't win, I veto everything. I'll be vetoing, vetoing.' In a preview clip aired on Sunday, Trump added: 'I guess I'll become Mr. Veto.' He suggested the standoff would not last long, predicting that after 'a month or two' of vetoes, Democrats would 'come over and you make a deal.' Under the US Constitution, Congress can override a presidential veto only with a two-thirds vote in both chambers — a high bar that would be difficult for Democrats to clear even if they won majorities. Trump vetoed 10 bills during his first term.

On a Third Term and the Constitution

When asked about the possibility of a third presidential run, Trump said: 'I'd love to run again if I had the chance, but the language is very exacting. I would love to. They had a poll the other day where I'd beat everybody by so much. I'd have loved to run, but it's fine.' The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly states that no person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice. Trump, 80, won the presidency in 2016 and again in 2024. He noted that more than two years remain in his current term, adding: 'You can do a lot in that period of time, and you've seen the job we've done.'

Pre-emptive Pardons and Investigations

Trump also said he was prepared to issue pre-emptive pardons to former and current aides if Democrats, upon winning Congress, pursued investigations against them. 'I would if I needed to, sure... I would not even think about it. I'd do it. I did it for J6,' he said, referencing pardons he granted in connection with the 6 January Capitol events. The remarks signal Trump's intent to use executive pardon powers aggressively as a counter to potential congressional oversight.

Polls and Democratic Leads

Trump dismissed surveys showing Democrats ahead, saying: 'I think they're rigged. I think a lot of pollsters don't even send pollsters out. Maybe they don't poll Republicans, but I think we're gonna do pretty well. I do that based on the rallies.' Most major public polls, however, have shown Democrats favoured to win the House. The final New York Times/Siena polls, released on Sunday, showed Democratic Senate candidates leading by five to eleven points in Kansas, Ohio, Maine, Texas, and Michigan. This comes amid broader anxiety within Republican circles about turnout and momentum heading into election day, with Trump's rally-based confidence standing in contrast to the polling consensus.

What Happens Next

Voting in the US midterm elections is set for Tuesday, with results expected to begin coming in that evening. A Democratic majority in either chamber would reshape Trump's legislative agenda and heighten the prospect of congressional investigations into his administration and allies. The credibility of Trump's veto strategy — and the feasibility of eventual deal-making — will depend heavily on the margins each party secures.