In recent developments, the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland, is facing scrutiny from President Biden. A special counsel report, which referred to Garland as an elderly man with a poor memory, has prompted criticism from the President. Privately, President Biden has expressed his dissatisfaction with Garland, stating that he believes Garland did not do enough to rein in the report.
Meanwhile, tensions between former President Donald Trump and Nikki Haley have escalated. Despite holding a wide lead in the polls two weeks before the South Carolina Republican primary, Trump has taken shots at Haley. He openly mocked her husband for being absent on the campaign trail due to his deployment overseas. Haley, in response, criticized Trump for disrespecting military families and said that he has no business being the commander in chief.
This exchange between Trump and Haley highlights the peculiar nature of the Republican primary. It is worth noting that Haley's criticism of Trump now is much stronger than it was during the Republican debates in 2023. It is not just Haley who has expressed reservations about Trump's conduct. General John Kelly, who served as Trump's White House Chief of Staff and head of the Department of Homeland Security, has confirmed that Trump referred to military service members as losers and suckers. However, many Republicans within the GOP coalition have withheld their concerns about Trump's behavior from voters.
The question arises whether Trump will face consequences for his comments. Currently, President Biden's approval rating remains at 40%, but he still maintains a close race with Trump. This suggests that Trump is already paying a price for his actions, as Biden is outperforming his approval rating. However, the real impact on Trump will depend on whether senior officials from his administration, such as General Kelly, Mark Esper, Bill Barr, James Mattis, and John Bolton, publicly express their concerns about his fitness to be president.
Additionally, Trump has proudly claimed credit for derailing the bipartisan border deal. While some Republicans, like Congressman Tim Burchett, are hesitant to acknowledge Trump's role in killing the deal, it is evident that Trump's influence within the Republican Party is strong. He has put forward a more militant and specific agenda for a potential second term, particularly in the area of immigration. Trump has outlined plans for mass deportations and has even suggested requisitioning National Guard troops from red states to assist in deportations in blue states.
The implications of a second Trump term remain largely unexplored. There has been a lack of substantive debate on Trump's agenda, both from Biden and other Republicans. It is essential to consider the potential conflict and controversy that may arise from implementing Trump's proposed immigration policies, such as large-scale raids and the deployment of National Guard troops. The question of how this will be addressed in the lead-up to the November elections remains open.
