The one thing scarier than a Trump presidency

AS THE world adjusts to the idea of a Donald Trump presidency, attention has also turned to exactly how powerful he will be.

Republican presidential elect Donald Trump gives his victory speech. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP

AS THE world adjusts to the idea of a Donald Trump presidency, attention has also turned to exactly how powerful the Republican will be.

While current President Barack Obama’s hands were often tied because of the Republican controlled House and Senate, Mr Trump is unlikely to have the same problem.

The Democrats were hopeful of winning back the Senate but fell short.

Republicans started the night with a 54-46 majority in the Senate and were on track to end up with at least 52 seats.

The Republicans also maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Unless there’s mutiny among Republicans refusing to support Mr Trump’s legislation, he’ll be pretty much free to do what he wants.

As some on Twitter noted: “Trump is gonna be unstoppable in office.”

But Dr John Hart of the ANU School of History provided some hope.

He said while Republican control of Congress would add to Mr Trump’s power, history showed it didn’t guarantee he could do what he wanted.

Republican presidential-elect Donald Trump looks AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGAN

He said Obama had enjoyed a Democrat majority in Congress for the first two years of his presidency but came up against opposition within his own party to his health care reforms.

Obama wanted to push through full health coverage for all Americans but “Blue Dog Democrats” (who can be as conservative as Republicans) objected to more government expenditure and this ultimately saw it watered down.

When it comes to Mr Trump, Dr Hart said there were a number of policies that traditional Republicans would probably not be happy with.

This includes keeping Hispanics out of the US by building a wall along the Mexican border, sending illegal migrants back to their own country and his position on free trade.

Dr Hart said Republicans usually support free trade but Mr Trump was dead against it.

Mr Trump’s stance on America’s alliances with other countries and his suggestion that they pay for the protection the US provided them, would also be of concern.

Dr Hart said the separation of powers between the President and Congress (which includes the lower and upper houses), could be a check on Mr Trump’s power.

“Parties there (in the US) are not like parties in Australia, they are not as disciplined,” Dr Hart said. “The president doesn’t sit in Congress, (and party members) are not as answerable to leaders as they are in Australia.”

So it looks like Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans could be the key to America’s future.

Republicans won the House and are about to win the Senate. Trump is gonna be unstoppable in office.

— Fullmetal (@Mik3one5) November 9, 2016

GOP winning Senate and House – will control Supreme Court and entire federal government. No checks or balances against President Trump.

— Zach Green (@zachjgreen) November 9, 2016

Donald trump w house and Senate=dictatorship.

— Angela Ricker (@AngRicker) November 9, 2016

If Trump wins and GOP holds House and Senate there will be no checks and balances. He can do whatever he wants. Think about that.

— Max Boot (@MaxBoot) November 9, 2016

Republicans have kept the House and are likely to win the Senate. President Trump would have immense power.

— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) November 9, 2016