With midterms and the caravan of Honduran migrants and asylum seekers rapidly approaching, Trump went on the immigration offensive this past week. On Monday, Trump announced that he would send 5,000 troops to the Mexican border to meet the group of migrants. He also said he would consider limiting their ability to seek asylum, possibly by raising the standard to qualify for a safe haven. By Tuesday, he floated the idea of sending as many as 15,000 troops, and on Thursday he said that soldiers will shoot even at mild provocations. He also said that he might end birthright citizenship - a right that was established 150 years ago and protected since by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Though it is dubious how or whether Trump would actually end birthright citizenship, his remarks on the subject ensured that immigration is in the public's mind as the midterm elections approach on November 6. Trump also had public spats with fellow Republican Paul Ryan, who critiqued his comments.
Meanwhile, Trump traveled to Pittsburgh to pay his respects to the victims of the synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh. Trump's visit was controversial, as the president has often stoked right-wing extremist fervor for political gain, and protestors greeted his arrival. The Pittsburgh mayor and other political leaders refused to appear in Trump's company. Trump instead attended with prominent Jewish members of his administration.
While Trump himself was preoccupied with midterm rallies, interviews, and public appearances, his administration continued to advance his agenda. The EPA is considering rolling back regulations on ozone air pollution, so that states will be allowed to pollute more before the EPA can intervene. The administration is also reportedly planning to mount another challenge to the Obamacare mandate that employers must cover birth control as part of their insurance packages, despite having failed twice in federal court. In another healthcare-related matter, the Trump administration also granted one state - Wisconsin - permission to start requiring citizens to work for their Medicaid, even as it fights court battles over two others. Under Wisconsin law, only the disabled and primary givers are exempt from new rule.
Expect more news of the midterm election results on November 6 this week.