WASHINGTON - In times of war and national strife, presidents typically try to unite a broken country and see their approval ratings soar. Not Donald Trump.
In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump has instead escalated his decisive rhetoric, lashing out at critics, launching attacks on Democrats, and playing to his base by embracing hard-right strategies.
This week, Trump once again pivoted back to immigration, signing a proclamation he claimed would temporarily suspend immigration into the country to prevent foreigners from competing with Americans for jobs.
It’s a risky strategy that history suggests could blow up in his face come election day.
