Trump’s Only Way Out

Playbook: “There is an increasing recognition in the White House and among his most important allies on Capitol Hill that the only way for President Trump to get movement on his border wall is to figure out a way to build the barrier on his own. He thinks he has options — national emergency, other executive action — but it’s almost time to put a nail in the coffin of his congressional efforts.”

There is no deal with Dems to be had… All available public and private evidence tells us Trump’s talks with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are at a complete impasse, despite what some of his aides and allies seem to tell him. (People also convinced the president that he would have more leverage in January when Dems took the House!)”

“Trump is running up against a Democratic House that is doing exactly what it said it would do: block his wall. And he’s not going to split Schumer and Pelosi. There is no space between the two leaders on this issue.”

Washington Post: “Trump is so far flunking the biggest test of his dealmaking skills as president, learning the hard way that governing in a divided Washington is not remotely like running the Trump Organization or hosting The Apprentice.”