Senators Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi blew up Twitter last night, announcing that they’d struck a deal with President Trump over DACA. The deal, which would legalize the resident status of people brought here illegally as minors, includes more money for border security but excludes anything involving a wall.
After a “very productive” dinner meeting with the President, Schumer and Pelosi said that the parties had agreed to “enshrine the protections of DACA into law quickly.”
Pelosi and Schumer joint statement on dinner w/ POTUS agreed to DACA protections + border security “excluding the wall” pic.twitter.com/lJ6ybI1yx4
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) September 14, 2017
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was quick to refute the notion that any matter involving the wall had been agreed to.
In a quick tweet, she put the rumors to bed:
While DACA and border security were both discussed, excluding the wall was certainly not agreed to.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) September 14, 2017
Bright and early this morning, President Trump took to social media and contradicted Schumer and Pelosi’s statements, saying that there was no deal.
He was sure to emphasize that added border security is a must for any deal and that the wall had been, and will continue to be, built independently of any legislation involving DACA.
No deal was made last night on DACA. Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent. Would be subject to vote.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
Still, the President made further statements – perhaps his clearest message yet – that show he clearly is supportive of allowing so-called ‘dreamers’ to remain in the country.
Despite the media and Democrat lawmakers’ attempts to say he is doing away with the program, the reality is President Trump merely threatened to rescind the program to force Congress’ hand in legalizing the program. Barack Obama implemented DACA illegally. Trump wants a legal solution, pure and simple.
Trump explained that DACA participants were brought into the country “through no fault of their own” and scoffed at the notion that anyone would truly want to “throw” them out.
Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
…They have been in our country for many years through no fault of their own – brought in by parents at young age. Plus BIG border security
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
The bottom line here is that Trump is supportive of dreamers, but simply wants the program to be legally sound. That hardly sounds like the “xenophobic tendencies” that California Democrats have accused him of perpetuating.
In a later interview this morning, President Trump confirmed that wall funding may have to wait:
Trump: "The wall is going to be built. It'll be funded a little bit later." pic.twitter.com/y84uZYHvPX
— Axios (@axios) September 14, 2017
Will this move – approving of legal residence for the dreamers without getting funding for the border wall – fly with his supporters?
How do you feel about Trump working with Democrats to aid so-called ‘dreamers?’ Share your thoughts below!