Stephen miller

Relief for Dreamers linked to border-wall money could yet reopen the federal government. Photo: Zach Gibson/Bloomberg via Getty Images There’s a lot of political posturing we will still have to go through before an end to the partial government shutdown can occur. Most fundamentally, President Trump must be sure he has put out the fire on his right flank that roared into view when it looked like he was going to back off on a border-wall-funding demand in exchange for signing an appropriations bill. That means something that he can construe as a concession on the wall must be wrung from Democratic congressional leaders who are publicly adamant about denying him exactly that. Democrats certainly won’t make any moves away from that position until the House has passed Nancy Pelosi’s bill, which extends Homeland Security funding into next month without wall funding and releases the rest of the federal government from the whole dispute. Beyond the next few moves on the … [Read more...] about Elusive Wall-for-DACA Deal Could Be Key to Ending Government Shutdown

Christopher Ruddy, chief executive and controlling owner of the right-leaning print and television outlet Newsmax, wishes his friend, Donald Trump, would rein in his incendiary, personally abusive social media presence, and submit all of his tweets to White House staff review before pulling the trigger.  Ruddy also wishes the president would stop antagonizing foreign-born residents of the United States with demagogic insults and harsh policies, and instead adopt a more humanistic approach that allows the American-raised children of illegal aliens to remain here, and embraces comprehensive immigration reform. Ruddy reacted with bewilderment to Trump’s reported comment—in a private negotiating session Thursday with half a dozen senators—that he would rather welcome immigrants from countries like Norway instead of “shithole countries” in Africa and Latin America. Ruddy noted that the president has denied the reports. “If he did … [Read more...] about Is Chris Ruddy the One Person to Make Trump Sound Sane?

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Democratic effort to overturn IRS regulations blocking workarounds to a portion of President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrumps light 97th annual National Christmas Tree Trump to hold campaign rally in Michigan 'Don't mess with Mama': Pelosi's daughter tweets support following press conference comments MORE’s tax law that is disliked by high-tax states.The Senate voted against the Democrats’ resolution, introduced by Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerOvernight Health Care — Presented by Johnson & Johnson — Democrats call on Supreme Court to block Louisiana abortion law | Michigan governor seeks to pause Medicaid work requirements | New front in fight over Medicaid block grants House, Senate Democrats call on Supreme Court to block Louisiana abortion law Why a second Trump term and a Democratic Congress could be a nightmare scenario for the GOP MORE (D-N.Y.), by a vote of 43-52. It was a mostly … [Read more...] about Senate rejects Dem measure to overturn IRS rules on SALT deduction cap

The biggest, the best, the longest White House reality episode  took place on Tuesday to dismal ratings. Rather than be the sure-fire, live-cast way to change the subject from Michael Wolff's book in which his staff and others declared his dangerous incompetence and show Trump at his deal-making best, the meeting revealed that on the whole Wolff got it right. Trump had only to hold two things in his mind at the same time. DACA, yes; the Wall he chanted about at every campaign rally, yes. And oh, don’t be wooed by Democrats. Do not flirt, as he did with Chuck and Nancy over Chinese food. Do not believe they like you. Do not give in to the thrill of the deal. Democrats are the enemy. But he couldn’t do that and his failure happened in real time for everyone to witness. Did you see, social media buzzed, what Trump just said to Senator Dianne Feinstein about a clean bill being great and he would take the heat. Can you believe it? No one could, least of all his advisors … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Open Meeting Just Proves How Right Michael Wolff Is