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Trump Backs Down, Again and Again Trump Backs Down, Again and Again
(about 20 hours later)
On Aug. 7, the Trump administration quietly changed its immigration policy to end medical deferred action, a program that allows a small number of gravely ill immigrants to remain in the United States to receive lifesaving treatment. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services began sending notices to applicants that it would “no longer consider” such petitions, except from service members and their families. Applicants were warned that they had 33 days to leave the country or risk being deported and rendered ineligible for re-entry.On Aug. 7, the Trump administration quietly changed its immigration policy to end medical deferred action, a program that allows a small number of gravely ill immigrants to remain in the United States to receive lifesaving treatment. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services began sending notices to applicants that it would “no longer consider” such petitions, except from service members and their families. Applicants were warned that they had 33 days to leave the country or risk being deported and rendered ineligible for re-entry.
As news of the change trickled out, public outrage grew on social media and beyond. More than 100 Democratic lawmakers signed a letter to top immigration officials, demanding an explanation. How did the Trump administration respond? It reversed itself — at least temporarily. On Sept. 2, U.S.C.I.S. announced that it would reopen medical deferred-action petitions that had been pending as of Aug. 7.As news of the change trickled out, public outrage grew on social media and beyond. More than 100 Democratic lawmakers signed a letter to top immigration officials, demanding an explanation. How did the Trump administration respond? It reversed itself — at least temporarily. On Sept. 2, U.S.C.I.S. announced that it would reopen medical deferred-action petitions that had been pending as of Aug. 7.
Along with providing a reprieve for the people whose lives depend on this program, the turnabout is a reminder that the Trump administration can be — if not shamed — at least pressured into doing the right thing.Along with providing a reprieve for the people whose lives depend on this program, the turnabout is a reminder that the Trump administration can be — if not shamed — at least pressured into doing the right thing.
Of course, the president can also be pressed to do the wrong thing, as when, at the behest of the gun lobby and its congressional defenders, he has repeatedly flip-flopped on plans to pursue popular gun safety measures.Of course, the president can also be pressed to do the wrong thing, as when, at the behest of the gun lobby and its congressional defenders, he has repeatedly flip-flopped on plans to pursue popular gun safety measures.
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He also has a tendency to announce one thing and then reverse himself within days, or hours.He also has a tendency to announce one thing and then reverse himself within days, or hours.
For better and for worse, Mr. Trump is a chronic waffler. As such, the American public would do well to stay vigilant about what his administration is up to — and not be shy about applying pressure.For better and for worse, Mr. Trump is a chronic waffler. As such, the American public would do well to stay vigilant about what his administration is up to — and not be shy about applying pressure.
It has long been clear that Mr. Trump is not the decisive, resolute leader he imagines himself to be. His presidency is littered with plans and pronouncements that were walked back or abandoned — some good, some not so good. His announcement last December that he was pulling all American troops from Syria was dramatically revised after pushback from foreign allies, lawmakers and his military advisers. This June, he approved military strikes on Iran in retaliation for its downing of an American drone, then canceled them. Last month, facing market turmoil and concerns from retailers and business groups, Mr. Trump postponed imposing additional tariffs on some Chinese consumer goods until after the start of the Christmas shopping season. He also floated the idea of cutting payroll taxes to goose the economy, only to reverse himself a day later with a declaration that the economy was plenty “strong.” Responding to back-to-back gun massacres, the president vowed to push for “sensible, important background checks” — until the National Rifle Association voiced its displeasure. At that point, Mr. Trump’s resolve wilted faster than you could say “$30 million in campaign contributions.” Not that he would admit to folding. He instead spent weeks offering rambling comments about possible legislation. The White House is expected to clarify his latest position soon.It has long been clear that Mr. Trump is not the decisive, resolute leader he imagines himself to be. His presidency is littered with plans and pronouncements that were walked back or abandoned — some good, some not so good. His announcement last December that he was pulling all American troops from Syria was dramatically revised after pushback from foreign allies, lawmakers and his military advisers. This June, he approved military strikes on Iran in retaliation for its downing of an American drone, then canceled them. Last month, facing market turmoil and concerns from retailers and business groups, Mr. Trump postponed imposing additional tariffs on some Chinese consumer goods until after the start of the Christmas shopping season. He also floated the idea of cutting payroll taxes to goose the economy, only to reverse himself a day later with a declaration that the economy was plenty “strong.” Responding to back-to-back gun massacres, the president vowed to push for “sensible, important background checks” — until the National Rifle Association voiced its displeasure. At that point, Mr. Trump’s resolve wilted faster than you could say “$30 million in campaign contributions.” Not that he would admit to folding. He instead spent weeks offering rambling comments about possible legislation. The White House is expected to clarify his latest position soon.
Even with issues central to Mr. Trump’s brand, he will now and again give ground. Recall last summer’s policy of separating migrant children from their parents — a move so appalling that even some of the president’s Republican apologists could not stomach it. After six weeks of international uproar, Mr. Trump announced an end to the practice.Even with issues central to Mr. Trump’s brand, he will now and again give ground. Recall last summer’s policy of separating migrant children from their parents — a move so appalling that even some of the president’s Republican apologists could not stomach it. After six weeks of international uproar, Mr. Trump announced an end to the practice.
He executed a similar flip-flop this winter, when Congress’s refusal to give him billions in border wall funding led him to provoke a partial government shutdown. When the public grew grumpy enough about the disruption, the president caved and signed a bill that did not include his desired wall money.He executed a similar flip-flop this winter, when Congress’s refusal to give him billions in border wall funding led him to provoke a partial government shutdown. When the public grew grumpy enough about the disruption, the president caved and signed a bill that did not include his desired wall money.
On occasion, Mr. Trump will move to reverse his reversals — or at least find a creative work around. Last month, the administration unveiled a new rule that would do away with the existing 20-day limit on holding migrant children in detention. On Tuesday, it announced that it is diverting $3.6 billion from Defense Department projects toward the construction of the border wall. The future of the medical deferred-action program remains unsettled as well. An agency official told The Times, “Whether a very limited version of deferred action will continue forward at U.S.C.I.S. is still under review.” Clearly, the public needs to continue expressing its preferences.On occasion, Mr. Trump will move to reverse his reversals — or at least find a creative work around. Last month, the administration unveiled a new rule that would do away with the existing 20-day limit on holding migrant children in detention. On Tuesday, it announced that it is diverting $3.6 billion from Defense Department projects toward the construction of the border wall. The future of the medical deferred-action program remains unsettled as well. An agency official told The Times, “Whether a very limited version of deferred action will continue forward at U.S.C.I.S. is still under review.” Clearly, the public needs to continue expressing its preferences.
There are issues on which the president feels compelled to hold his ground. As Hurricane Dorian menaced the Atlantic Coast Sunday, he tweeted a cautionary message to the residents of several Southern states, including Alabama. Dorian was not projected to hit Alabama, which the National Weather Service clarified. Rather than correct himself, Mr. Trump dug in and spent the next several days obsessed with proving that at some point Alabama really had been in danger. The situation reached its absurdity apex when, during a storm briefing Wednesday, he brandished a map showing the likely trajectory of Dorian, which someone appeared to have doctored with a black Sharpie to include a sliver of Alabama. #SharpieGate immediately became the stuff of mocking memes and late-night monologues.There are issues on which the president feels compelled to hold his ground. As Hurricane Dorian menaced the Atlantic Coast Sunday, he tweeted a cautionary message to the residents of several Southern states, including Alabama. Dorian was not projected to hit Alabama, which the National Weather Service clarified. Rather than correct himself, Mr. Trump dug in and spent the next several days obsessed with proving that at some point Alabama really had been in danger. The situation reached its absurdity apex when, during a storm briefing Wednesday, he brandished a map showing the likely trajectory of Dorian, which someone appeared to have doctored with a black Sharpie to include a sliver of Alabama. #SharpieGate immediately became the stuff of mocking memes and late-night monologues.
The entire sideshow was reminiscent of when Mr. Trump insisted that his inauguration crowd in 2017 had been the largest in history. He not only dispatched his aides to peddle this fantasy, but also the National Park Service, responding to White House concerns, cropped official photos of the event to make the crowds look bigger.The entire sideshow was reminiscent of when Mr. Trump insisted that his inauguration crowd in 2017 had been the largest in history. He not only dispatched his aides to peddle this fantasy, but also the National Park Service, responding to White House concerns, cropped official photos of the event to make the crowds look bigger.
More troubling, Mr. Trump’s inability to admit that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 has led him to insist, without evidence, that there was widespread voter fraud in her favor. He even put together an official commission tasked with proving this. It failed. Mr. Trump nonetheless continues to spread this dangerous nonsense.More troubling, Mr. Trump’s inability to admit that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 has led him to insist, without evidence, that there was widespread voter fraud in her favor. He even put together an official commission tasked with proving this. It failed. Mr. Trump nonetheless continues to spread this dangerous nonsense.
When it comes to protecting his fragile ego, Mr. Trump can be quite firm in his convictions. The rest is subject to influence.When it comes to protecting his fragile ego, Mr. Trump can be quite firm in his convictions. The rest is subject to influence.
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