Defiant Trump Goes It Alone
Damian Paletta, Josh Dawsey, Toluse Olorunnipa, The Washington Post
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has moved dramatically to pull free from Congress in recent weeks by slapping huge trade penalties on Chinese imports and directing the construction of a wall along the Mexico border, looking to solve issues that dogged Democrats and Republicans for decades in a way that could help his reelection bid.
The risky moves mark Trump’s attempt to deliver on two of his core campaign promises in the face of a Democratic House and muted GOP opposition in the Senate, seeking to cast himself as a defiant chief executive willing to act alone, no matter the global repercussions.
“The president is extremely comfortable in the job, more comfortable than he’s ever been,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of Trump’s top congressional advisers. “He feels he’s gotten the rhythm.”
The consequences of Trump’s unilateral actions could be profound.