Ryan opens by saying, “Mr. President-elect, we know you won this election because you promised the American people you were going to build a…
Ryan opens by saying, “Mr. President-elect, we know you won this election because you promised the American people you were going to build a wall to secure our border with Mexico. Republicans in House couldn’t agree more. I think it should be the first piece of legislation we tackle, and we should do it within the first 30 days of your being sworn in.”
Senator McConnell, so excited he’s shifting in his seat, echoes the sentiment. “That goes for me and the members of the Senate. We are so grateful for the opportunity you’ve given the Republican Party. Let’s get it done!”
Donald Trump smiles, shakes their hands, and offers profound thanks for their support. As the two leave, they know they just cleared the path to protect American borders.
Oh snap! That never actually happened, did it?
As I’m writing this, people are pouring through the details of the new budget deal that gives President Trump a measly $1.4 billion for the purpose of starting to construct a border fence on the southern border with Mexico. It is a fraction of the $5.7 billion he had requested and a fraction of a fraction of the $25 billion he really wanted to get the job done.
As has become a familiar refrain, both Trump critics and Trump supporters have joined together to either joyously or angrily proclaim that the president has just been handed a defeat by Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. They scoff at the master negotiator having overplayed his hand. They bemoan that Trump lost his courage and backbone after the prolonged partial government shutdown failed to have the effect of caving in the opposition.
Despite this, the president’s job approval rating hovers in the low 50 percent range. The president’s approval is high because many people recognize he is the only reason we are even having this discussion, let alone being able to begin to build a structure that will help to reduce the flow of illegals into this country.
