WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is proving to be an erratic trading partner as he kicks thorny policy issues to Congress and then sends conflicting signals about what he really wants.
His rapid backpedal on a short-term health care fix this week is the latest example to leave Republicans and Democrats alike scratching their heads.
Nine months into office, Trump has shown a preference for delegating to lawmakers on everything from health care to immigration to foreign policy. Sometimes he creates situations that demand a congressional solution. In other cases, he sets difficult-to-achieve broad policy goals and expects lawmakers to fill in the fine print.
The results speak for themselves: Despite controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republicans have achieved no major legislative successes this year.