Molly Ball

So people do seem to like that he seems to be taking control of a border that they felt was out of control. I do think there is a chance that it becomes less popular as these incidents pile up.

So people do seem to like that he seems to be taking control of a border that they felt was out of control. I do think there is a chance that it becomes less popular as these incidents pile up.

So people do seem to like that he seems to be taking control of a border that they felt was out of control. I do think there is a chance that it becomes less popular as these incidents pile up.

I do wonder if it does start to go into politically dangerous territory as more of these sort of sympathetic victims come out, as more and more people who appear not to have done anything to deserve it are being singled out and deported.

I do wonder if it does start to go into politically dangerous territory as more of these sort of sympathetic victims come out, as more and more people who appear not to have done anything to deserve it are being singled out and deported.

I do wonder if it does start to go into politically dangerous territory as more of these sort of sympathetic victims come out, as more and more people who appear not to have done anything to deserve it are being singled out and deported.

I want to ask about that long-term question. What do we see as the administration's endgame on immigration, given that it has, as you point out, only been a few weeks and they are sort of picking their spots to send a strong signal? Presumably this is all building up to something. Where is it going?

I want to ask about that long-term question. What do we see as the administration's endgame on immigration, given that it has, as you point out, only been a few weeks and they are sort of picking their spots to send a strong signal? Presumably this is all building up to something. Where is it going?

I want to ask about that long-term question. What do we see as the administration's endgame on immigration, given that it has, as you point out, only been a few weeks and they are sort of picking their spots to send a strong signal? Presumably this is all building up to something. Where is it going?

I would say it's very unlikely. And I've been, like Michelle, covering this issue for many years. I was here when they came close back in 2013 to passing comprehensive immigration reform. And it was torpedoed essentially by a revolt among the Republican base, among conservative Republican voters involved.

I would say it's very unlikely. And I've been, like Michelle, covering this issue for many years. I was here when they came close back in 2013 to passing comprehensive immigration reform. And it was torpedoed essentially by a revolt among the Republican base, among conservative Republican voters involved.

I would say it's very unlikely. And I've been, like Michelle, covering this issue for many years. I was here when they came close back in 2013 to passing comprehensive immigration reform. And it was torpedoed essentially by a revolt among the Republican base, among conservative Republican voters involved.

You know, Republican elites, the business community, the Chamber of Commerce, the agricultural lobby, they would all love to see a big comprehensive immigration reform deal get done that would legalize millions of people and allow them to work in all of these industries and so on.

You know, Republican elites, the business community, the Chamber of Commerce, the agricultural lobby, they would all love to see a big comprehensive immigration reform deal get done that would legalize millions of people and allow them to work in all of these industries and so on.

You know, Republican elites, the business community, the Chamber of Commerce, the agricultural lobby, they would all love to see a big comprehensive immigration reform deal get done that would legalize millions of people and allow them to work in all of these industries and so on.

But when you drill down on the specifics and try to get Republicans to vote for it, particularly Republicans in safe districts who are much more concerned about a primary threat, who are much more concerned about someone to their right coming in and accusing them of not being loyal enough to Trump or not being conservative enough, they see that as more of a threat to them politically than the general election.

But when you drill down on the specifics and try to get Republicans to vote for it, particularly Republicans in safe districts who are much more concerned about a primary threat, who are much more concerned about someone to their right coming in and accusing them of not being loyal enough to Trump or not being conservative enough, they see that as more of a threat to them politically than the general election.

But when you drill down on the specifics and try to get Republicans to vote for it, particularly Republicans in safe districts who are much more concerned about a primary threat, who are much more concerned about someone to their right coming in and accusing them of not being loyal enough to Trump or not being conservative enough, they see that as more of a threat to them politically than the general election.

So I think even though it remains politically popular, it is not something you're going to see this president or this version of the Republican Party taking up anytime soon.

So I think even though it remains politically popular, it is not something you're going to see this president or this version of the Republican Party taking up anytime soon.