It’s an image seared in the minds of Americans of a certain age: George W. Bush reads “The Pet Goat” to elementary school students in Florida when an aide whispers into his ear about the 9/11 attacks. It was a moment that changed America and effectively set the course of Bush’s presidency in his first year.
That’s the thing about presidencies: They don’t always go as planned. Just ask Jimmy Carter, whose White House term was forever framed by the unsuccessful attempt to rescue hostages held by Iran in 1979. That led to his defeat in 1980 by Ronald Reagan.
President Donald Trump no doubt is aware of history – and perhaps irony as well – as events in Iran are again front and center at a pivotal moment early in his second stint in the White House. After a flurry of activity ranging from sweeping import tariffs to stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws, Trump has reshaped the political landscape in less than six months.
