It was as if the virus and the president were working in concert. Not only did the pandemic cripple the existing political system, it demanded that Trump govern in precisely the manner to which he aspired: unilaterally, decisively, with few checks on his power—and with the eyes of the nation riveted to him. And though he had little interest in understanding the problem; though he was reluctant to use his executive power actually to fight the pandemic; though he was inconsistent and apparently incapable of staying on point, showing empathy, or comprehending the gravity of the situation—he still
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