There was a lot of brave talk over the past few days that President Trump was going to shut down the government in order to force a confrontation about border wall funding.
Stephen Miller: "We're going to do whatever is necessary to build the border wall to stop this ongoing crisis of illegal immigration." #MAGA #BuildTheWall pic.twitter.com/tXlIkzoYhc
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) December 16, 2018
Of course, for some unfathomable reason, no one is mentioning a remittance tax, which would sidestep the issue of making American taxpayers pay for the wall and keep the president's campaign promise. Still, it's something.
However, The Washington Post now reports the Trump Administration is seeking ways to avoid a government shutdown and will cave on fighting for a border wall.
Contrary to some reports, this isn't surrender. But it's certainly "muddled messaging." It shows that the GOP is not united in pushing for a border wall. Once again, congressional Republicans seem to be getting in the way of the White House. Obviously, this is why President Trump should have pushed for a border wall the second he stepped into office. However, we are where we are.
Certainly, it would be a good thing if President Trump could flip the script on the Democrats by using some of those "other ways" to get to the five billion dollars to fund the wall. Yet at this point, this mixed messaging on a potential shutdown makes him look weak, especially when the reason Republicans can't work hard on a budget solution is because they are focused on a bill to let more criminals out of prison. Once gets the sense that this is the last straw for a number of Trump voters who elected him specifically to prevent actions like this.
And the funny thing is, at least if Trump is going to cave on his lifelong view on crime (called for death penalty 4 the very people he's releasing), why not get a concession on border. But no, he will sign both bills for free. There was a term for that and it rhymed with "luck"
— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) December 18, 2018
The next couple weeks may be make or break for the entire administration, as President Trump will not have a base willing to fight for him on impeachment if he doesn't give them a reason to support him.