Trump's hollow call for unity

This all sounds quaint. These qualities are not prized in modern political combat, particularly by our realist president. This is evident in what he’s saying in real time. Even as he talks about unity, the president characterizes Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in the harshest terms, asserting on Face the Nation that “people [are] dying all over the country because of people like Nancy Pelosi … I think she is very bad for our country.” He also told the host, Margaret Brennan, that Pelosi “doesn’t mind human trafficking.”

Working toward unity might be a presidential norm, but president Trump has not let other norms, such as telling the truth, constrain his preferred path. You keep your unity, his supporters might argue, the GOP has unified around a strong economy, deregulation, tax cuts, dialogue with North Korea, tough talk with China and a conservative judiciary that will influence American life well after Donald Trump has finished his second term. Why should the president bother with tending outdated modes that won’t accomplish his goals? Instead, he should focus on making progress. Calling for unity might look presidential, but as the president has so often said, acting presidential would just be an act.