It is very unusual for the deficit to grow during a strong economy, but the White House and GOP leaders have pursued policies that increase spending and cut tax rates, as Trump has said he is trying to rev the economy to encourage more growth.

Democrats warned during the tax cut debate that Republicans would widen the deficit through tax reductions and then seek to recoup the losses by cutting programs such as Medicaid, a health-care program for poor and low-income families,

What a moron.  Government generates revenue via taxation.  That's the way it works.  Unlike a business, government doesn't generate income by selling a product or service.  You cut taxes and therefore decrease revenue.  Evidently Mitch never figured that out.