President Joe Biden has adopted noticeably tougher messaging in discussing former President Donald Trump and Republicans, and veteran political operatives say the strategy is “clearly” aimed at boosting Democrats in a midterm election year.

Despite ushering through his bipartisan physical infrastructure legislation in November, the president ended the year on a major skid. Numerous polls showed Biden’s approval ratings slipping significantly in December. Still, the White House is starting the year by revisiting its massive “voting rights” push in partnership with Democratic leadership.