TRUMP Caves On The Wall — And Democrats Think He Will Again..

Multiple high-ranking congressional Democrats have signaled that their party will give in to President Donald Trump‘s demand to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

As the nascent government shutdown forces Democrats outside of their comfort zone, baser instincts are kicking in. The putative opposition party has experienced hours worth of a government shutdown and their biological tendency toward reaction is making them realize harsh truths about themselves and the nation’s capital.

Now that that strategy has succeeded, with little more required than sticking to their message, emboldened Democrats say they're taking the president’s threats with a big dollop of salt.

“His folks are beginning to recognize that getting a deal done in Congress requires listening, engaging and sometimes strategic or tactical retreats,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). “The more he does draw red lines that aren’t reasonably accomplishable, the more he simply harms his own credibility with his own party.”

Republicans, and even some moderate Democrats, are hoping the president is transforming from an erratic candidate into a more deliberative commander in chief. They view his retreat from a potential government shutdown over the wall as a cause for optimism.

“He’s evolving,” said a Republican senator. “Somebody told him you don’t have to build a wall next to the Rio Grande River.”

“I’m going to cut him slack. I don’t know if caved is the right term. Maybe it is,” said Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). In the fall, “there’s a possibility he’ll get more educated and make the right decision" and not inject the issue into funding talks again.

If Trump does forgo such a fight, the president could face a backlash from the likes of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh, who are frustrated that the president gave in this time around.

Trump's moves on the wall and Obamacare subsidies could be instructive as to how he'll square off with congressional Democrats in the future. There are at least two more major leverage points this year, the debt ceiling and a September spending bill, that will allow both parties to try to insert their priorities in must-pass legislation.

But if Trump does demand money for the wall or other priorities later this year, Democrats say they won’t take his public statements at face value.