Cabot Phillips

Illegal border crossings also fell by 94% in February compared to the previous year, and illegal encounters at the Del Rio sector declined by 99% since 2023. In fact, Trump has been so successful with illegal immigration in his first two months of office that concerns about the issue have dropped from a top priority to a fourth priority for a majority of voters.

Illegal border crossings also fell by 94% in February compared to the previous year, and illegal encounters at the Del Rio sector declined by 99% since 2023. In fact, Trump has been so successful with illegal immigration in his first two months of office that concerns about the issue have dropped from a top priority to a fourth priority for a majority of voters.

Yeah, the lights are still on in Washington as the shutdown was avoided, but not without plenty of drama and infighting. So you'll remember that on Friday, Republicans were trying to push their seven-month funding stopgap through the Senate. They had until midnight, but could only win passage if eight Democrats got on board. Pennsylvania's John Fetterman was the first.

Yeah, the lights are still on in Washington as the shutdown was avoided, but not without plenty of drama and infighting. So you'll remember that on Friday, Republicans were trying to push their seven-month funding stopgap through the Senate. They had until midnight, but could only win passage if eight Democrats got on board. Pennsylvania's John Fetterman was the first.

And then Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had been slamming that deal all month, reversed course and called on his members to vote yes. And ultimately, seven other Democrats did join him, including New York's Kristen Gillibrand, Dick Durbin from Illinois, and Michigan's Gary Peters. A very dramatic reversal for Schumer and others. What changed their mind? Well, there was a lot at play.

And then Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had been slamming that deal all month, reversed course and called on his members to vote yes. And ultimately, seven other Democrats did join him, including New York's Kristen Gillibrand, Dick Durbin from Illinois, and Michigan's Gary Peters. A very dramatic reversal for Schumer and others. What changed their mind? Well, there was a lot at play.

First, if the measure had failed, Democrats would have gotten the lion's share of the blame for the shutdown, something even their party leaders acknowledged behind closed doors. Schumer and the others who voted yes argued that during a potential shutdown, President Trump would be given even more authority to slash federal spending and potentially federal workers.

First, if the measure had failed, Democrats would have gotten the lion's share of the blame for the shutdown, something even their party leaders acknowledged behind closed doors. Schumer and the others who voted yes argued that during a potential shutdown, President Trump would be given even more authority to slash federal spending and potentially federal workers.

Here's Schumer making that case from the Senate floor.

Here's Schumer making that case from the Senate floor.

But the bottom line is this was a substantial victory for Republicans and President Trump. It showed the GOP is almost totally aligned in pushing through Trump's agenda. And perhaps more importantly, it highlighted some of the major fractures within the Democratic Party, specifically with regard to how they're going to respond to the next four years under Trump.

But the bottom line is this was a substantial victory for Republicans and President Trump. It showed the GOP is almost totally aligned in pushing through Trump's agenda. And perhaps more importantly, it highlighted some of the major fractures within the Democratic Party, specifically with regard to how they're going to respond to the next four years under Trump.

Let's just say Chuck Schumer is not a very popular man on the left right now. He's had an iron grip on the chamber for years. And in the past, if Democrats were mad at him, they mostly kept it to themselves, fearing recriminations. But this weekend was very different. Democrats in both chambers publicly slammed him and the other Democrats who got on board with him.

Let's just say Chuck Schumer is not a very popular man on the left right now. He's had an iron grip on the chamber for years. And in the past, if Democrats were mad at him, they mostly kept it to themselves, fearing recriminations. But this weekend was very different. Democrats in both chambers publicly slammed him and the other Democrats who got on board with him.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for example, said Schumer's effort, quote, only makes matters worse. And in perhaps the most remarkable example, Schumer's counterpart in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, all but threw Schumer under the bus, issuing a statement saying, quote, House Democrats will not be complicit. We remain strongly opposed to the partisan spending bill.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for example, said Schumer's effort, quote, only makes matters worse. And in perhaps the most remarkable example, Schumer's counterpart in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, all but threw Schumer under the bus, issuing a statement saying, quote, House Democrats will not be complicit. We remain strongly opposed to the partisan spending bill.

And most telling, Jeffries went on to refuse comment multiple times when asked if he was confident in Schumer's ability to lead.

And most telling, Jeffries went on to refuse comment multiple times when asked if he was confident in Schumer's ability to lead.

Next question.

Next question.