Spooked Trump admin now 'flirting with capitulation': analysis
The Trump administration has felt the fierce public backlash against ICE after the death of two civilians in Minneapolis and the masked agents' aggressive tactics against immigrants — and it could force the White House to change direction entirely, according to analysis Thursday.
Although border czar Tom Homan's tone had noticeably shifted during a press conference in Minneapolis, questions have remained over what comes next in Minnesota, according to analysis from CNN's Aaron Blake.
"Even as Homan is signaling there will be a softer, more focused and by-the-books effort and fewer agents in Minneapolis, we got word Trump is pulling out of the other state where he’s launched a similar immigration enforcement effort," Blake wrote.
In Maine, ICE agents were pulled from the state Thursday after heightened public scrutiny.
"Meanwhile, the White House and Republicans seem to be preparing to make significant legislative concessions on immigration enforcement to prevent a government shutdown," Blake added.
Democrats have been pushing to cut out funding for DHS from the current large spending package, just hours from a potential government shutdown. The move would give lawmakers time to negotiate how to cut back ICE's actions in the upcoming weeks and Republicans have appeared ready to "make significant legislative concessions" in order to avoid another stalemate as Democrats make specific demands, including requiring body cameras and banning masks for the federal agents.
"But there is a clear sense that Democrats have much of the leverage right now. Republicans aren’t even talking very tough," Blake wrote.
The move reflects what Americans have been saying, with recent polls showing President Donald Trump's approval rating on immigration plummeting and a rising number of Americans saying ICE is "too tough."
And although Trump could be stubborn over the harsh immigration policy he has touted, it could play out differently this time.
"Trump and his party are at least flirting with capitulation," Blake wrote.