The Pentagon said that the decision by Pete Hegseth to widen the patrols was made on Oct. 29, just before a landslide defeat for Republicans in the midterm elections.

© Alex Kent/The New York Times

On the eve of the election, the president held forth in great detail on columns, drain pipes and granite at the newly refilled Reflecting Pool.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times

The president will make his closing arguments before the midterm elections at a landmark that came to symbolize his administration’s dysfunction.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times