White House Denies Trump Giving Up on Congress to Push Agenda

Administration cites legislative wins, but faces growing GOP opposition on tariffs

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The White House is denying that President Donald Trump is giving up on Congress to enact his agenda after the House handed him a high-profile defeat on tariffs. Six House Republicans voted with every Democrat to terminate Trump's tariffs on Canada, fueling speculation that the president may be acknowledging political limits on Capitol Hill even as Republicans narrowly control both chambers.

Why it matters

Trump's inability to maintain unified Republican support in Congress for his signature economic policies like tariffs suggests his legislative leverage is waning, even with his party in control. This could force the president to rely more heavily on executive actions, which critics dismiss as 'meaningless' and 'legally worthless' since a future president could easily reverse them.

The details

The White House cited several legislative wins, including the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' with tax cuts and border security funding. However, the administration did not address whether Tuesday's tariff vote would lead to Trump relying more on executive action, as he seemed to suggest in a recent interview. Republican strategists say GOP members are 'tired of defending policies they don't agree with' and are looking to distance themselves from an unpopular president ahead of the midterms, when Democrats hold a polling advantage.

  • On February 11, 2026, the House voted to terminate Trump's tariffs on Canada, with six Republicans joining all Democrats.
  • On February 10, 2026, Trump told Fox Business Network's Larry Kudlow that the White House would not seek to push another economic policy bill before the midterm elections.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who denied the administration is not working efficiently with Congress.

Charlie Black

A Republican strategist and founding chairman of the Prime Policy Group.

Jim Manley

A Democratic strategist and former longtime aide to the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

John Feehery

A Republican strategist and former press secretary to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

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What they’re saying

“Any suggestion that the White House is not working efficiently and successfully with our partners in the legislative branch is a suggestion not based in reality.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman (Washington Examiner)

“The president really did a number on House and Senate Republicans when he said that as far as he was concerned, that Republicans were done with legislation for the year. One helluva statement for them to run on in November. I have never seen anything like it.”

— Jim Manley, Democratic strategist (Washington Examiner)

“Members are tired of defending policies that they don't agree with, and at the end of the day, they work for their constituents and not the president.”

— John Feehery, Republican strategist (Washington Examiner)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.