The coronavirus pandemic is devastating the budgets of state and local governments in the U.S. For Republicans , its also creating an opportunity: States and localities where they have little chance of actually winning elections may now be forced to take GOP-advocated steps like slashing spending, cutting jobs covered by public employee unions, gutting public employee pensions and stripping social services funding.

Thats at the goal behind President Donald Trump s dismissive claims that states seeking help during the pandemic are Democratic-run and mismanaged, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells derisive statement that proposed funding for struggling governments would amount to Blue State Bailouts.

Its not just about failing to help citizens who dont vote like them. Its about using the power of the federal government to snuff out state policies across the country that they dislike.

Theres a precedent for this. President Gerald Ford opposed federal funds for New York City in 1975 when the city was at risk of defaulting on its debts. The resulting Daily News headline, which famously read Ford to City: Drop Dead, is being resurrected now by Democrats and the media.

My question is, Mr. Trump, Mr. President, are you going to save New York City or are you telling New York City to drop dead? Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said last month. Which one is it?

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) used the drop dead reference in a tweet to Trump in February. Headlines in The New York Times , The Week , The Daily Beast , The Nation and, yes, the New York Daily News have all linked Trump to what may be the most famous tabloid headline in history.

The comparison is more apt than they may realize. Trump is following a long-running conservative game plan that uses fiscal crises to wage class warfare.

Ford To City: Drop Dead