Jonathan Swan

I mean, there's a million places you could start, but if you just look at the series of reporting that we laid out, the first big element that we talked about was expansion of power and destruction of or elimination of any pocket of independence within the executive branch. I would put a big tick next to that one, maybe even a double tick. He's clearly done that

I mean, there's a million places you could start, but if you just look at the series of reporting that we laid out, the first big element that we talked about was expansion of power and destruction of or elimination of any pocket of independence within the executive branch. I would put a big tick next to that one, maybe even a double tick. He's clearly done that

firing checks on his power, getting rid of inspectors general and other elements within the executive branch. Another element, obviously, that we reported on in depth was immigration. I think we can talk about that later, but it's, I would say, a very mixed scorecard. Well, let's talk about it now. They've effectively started to do what they plan to do.

firing checks on his power, getting rid of inspectors general and other elements within the executive branch. Another element, obviously, that we reported on in depth was immigration. I think we can talk about that later, but it's, I would say, a very mixed scorecard. Well, let's talk about it now. They've effectively started to do what they plan to do.

It just, in at least one half of their program, isn't going so well. So the first half, sealing the border, tick, record low border crossings. They've absolutely achieved that in a very short space of time. If you talk to people internally, they're almost, I'm not going to say frustrated by their success, but it almost came too quickly, too easily.

It just, in at least one half of their program, isn't going so well. So the first half, sealing the border, tick, record low border crossings. They've absolutely achieved that in a very short space of time. If you talk to people internally, they're almost, I'm not going to say frustrated by their success, but it almost came too quickly, too easily.

And, you know, so now they're sort of, well, we need to send the troops down there. And it's like, okay, but no one's really coming across. But the second part of the immigration agenda that has been far less successful is interior deportations, removing people from the country. And in that sense, the numbers are nothing like what they said they would be so far.

And, you know, so now they're sort of, well, we need to send the troops down there. And it's like, okay, but no one's really coming across. But the second part of the immigration agenda that has been far less successful is interior deportations, removing people from the country. And in that sense, the numbers are nothing like what they said they would be so far.

They promised the biggest deportation operation in American history, deporting millions of people every year. They're nowhere near on track to do that. And of course, very widely reported, they are jettisoning due process and sending people to prison for terrorists in El Salvador. At least one person sent there by mistake. They're running into a battle with the courts.

They promised the biggest deportation operation in American history, deporting millions of people every year. They're nowhere near on track to do that. And of course, very widely reported, they are jettisoning due process and sending people to prison for terrorists in El Salvador. At least one person sent there by mistake. They're running into a battle with the courts.

So that side of the immigration agenda is very messy.

So that side of the immigration agenda is very messy.

I can't speak for everyone in the White House, but for the vast majority of them, any day that the public conversation is about immigration is a good day. Anytime they're in trouble, like when their tariff strategy is causing huge anxiety in the public, the markets to crash, their safe space, their North Star is immigration. And the playbook is the same.

I can't speak for everyone in the White House, but for the vast majority of them, any day that the public conversation is about immigration is a good day. Anytime they're in trouble, like when their tariff strategy is causing huge anxiety in the public, the markets to crash, their safe space, their North Star is immigration. And the playbook is the same.

wheel out photographs of the most heinous criminals, put out the most graphic, lurid stories of illegal immigrants doing awful things to American citizens. And I would say the majority opinion, and certainly Trump's own instincts, are that, you know, immigration is a winning issue. Whenever we can talk about immigration, we're winning.

wheel out photographs of the most heinous criminals, put out the most graphic, lurid stories of illegal immigrants doing awful things to American citizens. And I would say the majority opinion, and certainly Trump's own instincts, are that, you know, immigration is a winning issue. Whenever we can talk about immigration, we're winning.

I have no qualms about describing it as a success. I would say it's stunningly successful, perhaps the most successful element of his program so far. You can affix monetary value to it. He has extorted about a billion dollars collectively in pro bono work from these law firms on behalf of his agenda. They've said, Mr. Trump, please don't hurt us. Please don't attack us.

I have no qualms about describing it as a success. I would say it's stunningly successful, perhaps the most successful element of his program so far. You can affix monetary value to it. He has extorted about a billion dollars collectively in pro bono work from these law firms on behalf of his agenda. They've said, Mr. Trump, please don't hurt us. Please don't attack us.

We will do all this work for you for free, $100 million worth of free work. utter capitulation. The universities, as you say, are changing their policies. And then just look at corporate America. I mean, you had this procession of CEOs go down to Mar-a-Lago during the transition, go sit down, have dinner with him, and then they gave him money.

We will do all this work for you for free, $100 million worth of free work. utter capitulation. The universities, as you say, are changing their policies. And then just look at corporate America. I mean, you had this procession of CEOs go down to Mar-a-Lago during the transition, go sit down, have dinner with him, and then they gave him money.