Trump Can’t Figure Out How to Keep His Biggest Promise

One common knock on President Donald Trump is that he is chronically dishonest. Another is that he is a fickle leader who cannot or will not focus on any particular topic for any extended period of time.

Both are true. But when it comes to border security, neither of these critiques really applies. Trump’s announcement of escalating tariffs on all goods from Mexico until illegal immigration stops is a desperate move. The sources of that desperation, though, are his determination to keep his promise to secure the border and the fact that despite trying constantly to make good on his vow, more than two years into his presidency, he still can’t figure out how.

Trump, as , has been remarkably consistent on border security,, but people continue to stream north from farther south.