In a combative State of the Union address, President Donald Trump doubled down on his hardline immigration policies, clashing repeatedly with Democrats and accusing them of obstructing progress on the issue. What this really means is that the political divide over immigration has only deepened, setting the stage for a bruising battle in the upcoming midterm elections.
Sparking Outrage from Democrats
Trump's speech was littered with inflammatory rhetoric, including claims that Democrats "want to invite cartel members" into the country and allow "criminal aliens" to "pour into and infest our communities." This kind of language, which NPR reports, very little new wall construction has actually occurred under Trump's watch.
Implications for Midterm Elections
The bigger picture here is that Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and hardline stance on immigration are likely to galvanize his base ahead of the midterm elections, but could also alienate crucial swing voters. As Pew Research Center data shows, public opinion on immigration is deeply divided along partisan lines. This issue will undoubtedly be a major battleground in the upcoming Congressional races.