Republicans will need to pick up more Senate seats in 2018 to help President Donald Trump reach many budget items, but still, he'll be in a better position to fight in September when the next budget deadline rolls around than he was in April, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Tuesday.
"By September, he'll have a better position to allow some parts of the government to close, if necessary, and have a real fight," Gingrich told Fox News' "Happening Now" program.
"They were not positioned right now to go through a government closing. I think it was a big mistake. I give him some credit, they got as much as they could while moving forward."
Meanwhile, Trump got some of what he wanted in a continuing resolution, and so did Democrats, said Gingrich.
"This is not the time for a showdown," the former speaker said. "Every negotiation is unique. If they want to, they can pick and choose where they want to fight and how to fight. I don't see this as a one-time thing."
Trump has been taking action that is moving the nation in the right direction already including job creation, and he has been fighting for a better trade deal and rolling back regulation.
"He's been proposing tax changes," said Gingrich. "If you want to create jobs, that's already sending a signal, I do see some things happening that are very positive from this standpoint. I think the country sees the same thing."
Where Trump has power, Gingrich said, he is moving "very effectively," but with the legislation branch or "Obama judges," he's had a more difficulty. Over time, the president will figure out matters.
"I think this fall, he'll be much more dominant than he is now," said Gingrich.