Trump Tweet Puts Deal In Doubt

Just as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer closed in on a deal for an economic relief package, President Trump tweeted his disapproval late last night:

Republicans had a deal until Nancy Pelosi rode into town from her extended vacation. The Democrats want the Virus to win? They are asking for things that have nothing to do with our great workers or companies. They want Open Borders & Green New Deal. Republicans shouldn’t agree!

Playbook says this throws its prospects into question. “Why? Because, as we’ve seen time and time again, anything short of a full embrace from the president is not enough for Republicans. Unless you have that, negotiating with a Cabinet secretary can be like dealing with an independent contractor with the best intentions, but limited authority. Some Republicans have been quietly downplaying the Mnuchin-Schumer talks, and perhaps this is why.”