Attempts by Chief of Staff and former Marine general John Kelly to keep Trump under control seem to be working, at least for now. This is the longest stretch of time Trump has not spouted something completely outrageous.
Unless, of course you’re a Republican and you heard of the DACA deal made between Trump and, as he referred to them, Chuck and Nancy. Chuck and Nancy, of course, are the Democratic minority leaders of the Senate and House respectively, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.
On Wednesday they had dinner with Trump, and came away saying they had agreed in principle to passing a law solidifying the Obama Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order for the “dreamers”. In return, the Dems agreed to additional money for border security – but not for a border wall.
Predictably conservatives went bananas. In her typical shy manner, Ann Coulter yelled for Trump to be impeached. Perhaps that makes her the first Republican to advocate for Trump’s removal, although for very different reasons than the Democrats’. “He’s a free-range chicken,” said Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee. It’s hard to argue with any part of that description.
Trump tried to back away from the reports, but actually issued a non-denial denial where he said the wall “would continue to be built” (but not when or how) – and praised the idea of a DACA bill. Of course, Trump changes his position on issues faster than one can pen a sentence, but if this deal comes through it will be a clear victory for the Democrats.
Trump may have acted because he is desperate to have a legislative win, clear some space for a tax-reform bill, and show Congressional Republicans that he is not dependent on them. Trump’s base may well accept a DACA agreement by Trump because they seem more loyal to him personally than to specific policies. That’s not a prospect that pleases Republicans. Already there are glimmers that Trump is keeping the option of campaigning against Congress as part of his (cough, cough) re-election campaign.
Trump also wanted to punish Republicans in the House and Senate for not passing Obamacare repeal. In response, like Pavlov’s dogs Senate Republicans are going to bark again this week for repeal. It’s a long shot: It has to pass by September 30 or it will then require 60 (impossible) votes in favor in the Senate. (This is due to the complexities of Senate budget rules, which only quantum physicists can fully understand.) The House is out all this coming week and Republican Senator John McCain has implied again that he may vote against because “regular order” is not being followed with this bill.
Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans are trying to get tax reform, their next main agenda item, underway. The Congress critters earlier argued that they wanted to cut both tax rates and loopholes, making taxes simpler but not diminishing tax revenues. Tax reform bills are difficult, though, and there is already infighting among Republicans. That means “tax reform” many be devolving into tax cuts only. House Speaker Paul Ryan in particular is dismissing promises that the GOP tax plan won’t add to the deficit. Still, passing a tax bill that gives huge tax breaks to the wealthy and adds to the national debt is not going to go over well with most Americans.