In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

MAGA Republicans have tended to downplay the federal government’s annual deficit and debt. That’s a serious error because both threaten the nationalist and populist goals that are central to the MAGA movement.