President Donald Trump's second term has been a wild ride, but his final two years in power could be even more volatile if Republicans lose control of Congress in Tuesday's US midterm elections. From renewed military action against Iran to election challenges and pushback against Democratic investigations, Trump's post-midterm playbook could involve disruption on all fronts.
Analysts warn that a "lame duck" Trump could be his most vengeful version yet. "I'm skeptical that President Trump will go quietly into that good night," Peter Loge, director of George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, told us.
"There is nothing in history that suggests he will say, 'I've been beaten, my time is over.' Every time Trump has been backed into a corner, he has fought back harder." Trump has been clear about his approach if Democrats win one or both chambers of Congress.
"If we don't win, I veto everything" in any Democratic legislative agenda, Trump told the New York Post. The White House maintains it is prepared to counter any investigations or impeachment proceedings.
"They'll probably go after me, and I'll go after them," Trump said in a Time magazine interview. Trump could even direct the Justice Department to investigate Democrats probing him.
Having baselessly disputed his 2020 presidential election loss, he may also interfere in the midterms by challenging vote counts or delaying the certification of disputed races. Foreign policy remains an area where "lame duck" US presidents retain wide-ranging powers.
Trump may renew large-scale military operations against Iran, though he hinted on the eve of the midterms that fresh talks could yield a deal. "I don't think he wants his legacy to be that of a warmonger.
He wants his legacy to be that he left America stronger," Ryan Hass of the Brookings Institution told us. Speculation suggests Trump could fire Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth if the Iran conflict drags on - a familiar move for a president who avoids taking blame.
Trump, who views himself as a master of peace deals, is also likely to continue pressuring Ukraine to reach a settlement with Russia. Fresh trilateral talks are set for next week.
Simultaneously, Trump will continue to seek detente with leaders he views as his great-power equals: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The three may meet at a summit in China later this month.
According to Hass, the US is likely to continue its retrenchment from NATO and other Western allies. On trade, however, Trump would likely remain "unrelentingly active," as evidenced by his recent hostility towards Canada.
Trump thrives on being the center of attention and is unlikely to relish the spotlight turning toward potential successors for the 2028 US presidential election. Trump - who hosted the reality television show "The Apprentice" - has been coy about backing either Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, he has largely stopped hinting at running for a constitutionally-barred third term, with American University professor Allan Lichtman noting that Trump is now focused on playing the role of 'kingmaker'.