| | | | Trump to Congress: DACA is your problem now! | | President Trump wants you to know one thing when it comes to the future of the DACA program: No matter what happens, it's not his fault.
"Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA!," he tweeted almost four hours before Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally announced the administration's plan to rescind the program unless Congress can find a legislative fix within the next six months. DACA allows undocumented immigrants brought into the country before they were adults to go to school and get jobs without fear of deportation.
In Tuesday's daily press briefing, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders made the same point. Again. And again.
"The President is calling on the men and women in Congress to fulfill their duty to the American people by truly reforming our immigration system for the good of all people," she said.
"We have confidence that Congress is going to step up and do their job," she said.
"I think that every member of Congress should know that that is their duty, and we're asking them to fulfill it. It's pretty simple," she said.
Congress. Congress. Congress.
Nary a mention of Trump. You would think that he had absolutely nothing to do with the policy when, in fact, his administration has decided to rescind the executive order -- potentially forcing Congress to act.
Trump said this of his decision Tuesday: "Really, we have no choice, we have to be able to do something, and I think it's going to work out very well. And long term, it's going to be the right solution."
The reason for all this Congress talk is simple: Trump doesn't know what to do about DACA. He's torn between his gut instincts, which, judging from his recent public statements, lean toward helping those in the program, and his base, which opposes all attempts to deliver alleged "amnesty."
And so, because he can't make a decision, he wants Congress to make it for him. And if they can't find a solution, he's got someone to blame.
-- Chris | | Whenever there's a major news event, there's a slew of reactions from lawmakers, former lawmakers, advocacy groups, think tanks, you name it. Here's a roundup of some of the responses to President Trump's decision to rescind DACA. - Former President Barack Obama: "To target these young people is wrong -- because they have done nothing wrong," Obama wrote in a post on Facebook. "It is self-defeating -- because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love. And it is cruel."
- Former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted: "Brought by parents, these children had no choice in coming here. Now they'll be sent to countries they've never known. Cruel. Not America."
- GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, addressing DACA recipients during a joint presser: "We want to find a fair solution because you have done nothing wrong. Congress is going to have to up its game."
- Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin during joint presser with Graham: ""We need to pass in this month of September a DREAM Act, a permanent law in this country, that says these young people will have their chance to become part of America's future."
- Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, one of Pope Francis' key American allies, tweeted: "This will break up families. People will lose their livelihoods. Society will be destabilized."
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: "President Obama wrongly believed he had the authority to rewrite our immigration law. Today's action by President Trump corrects that fundamental mistake. This Congress will continue working on securing our border and ensuring a lawful system of immigration that works."
- White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders during the briefing: "It's not an easy (decision) ... but at the same time, you can't allow emotions to govern. ... We have confidence that Congress is going to step up and do their job."
| | | We want to hear your thoughts on today's DACA news. Email Chris (chris.cillizza@cnn.com) and Saba (saba.hamedy@cnn.com) your reactions. We'll feature some responses in tomorrow's edition. | | | Chris is on a Beatles kick. Luckily, Spotify has this "Greatest Hits" playlist. Or, if you are still thinking about the Dreamers and DACA news ... listen to John Lennon's "Imagine." | | Louise Linton, wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, is on the September cover of Washington Life Magazine wearing a gown. It's her first interview since she was called out on Instagram for her "let them eat cake" attitude.
"I see the irony of making an apology in a ball gown. But it would be dishonest to proclaim that I'm never going to go to another social function," Linton told the publication, which is known for chronicling the social lives of wealthy inhabitants of the nation's capital.
CNN's Hadas Gold summed it up best on Twitter: "When you apologize for and own your 'out of touch' instagram post and comment while posing in ball gowns for a magazine cover 🤷🏻♀️."
Read CNN's Kate Bennett's full story here. | | HRC STILL NOT FEELING THAT BERN | | Excerpts from Hillary Clinton's upcoming new book "What Happened" popped up on the internet Tuesday.
And looks like the former Democratic presidential nominee doesn't hold back when it comes to talking about Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran against her in the 2016 election. She writes that Sanders "had to resort to innuendo and impugning my character" because the two Democrats "agreed on so much."
Also from the book: "Some of his supporters, the so-called Bernie Bros, took to harassing my supporters online. It got ugly and more than a little sexist. When I finally challenged Bernie during a debate to name a single time I changed a position or a vote because of a financial contribution, he couldn't come up with anything. Nonetheless, his attacks caused lasting damage, making it harder to unify progressives in the general election and paving the way for Trump's 'Crooked Hillary' campaign."
The roughly 500-page book hits shelves September 12. Read CNN's full story about the excerpts here. | | SPICEY'S SPEAKING CIRCUIT | | Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer is out of the White House (and out of the bushes) and onto the paid speaking circuit, CNN reported Tuesday.
From reporter Dan Merica's story: "Spicer has signed with Worldwide Speakers Group, the organization said in a statement Tuesday. News of his new job was first reported by Politico:
"'Everybody knows Sean Spicer. At least, polls show, they know his name and his trademark style behind the White House podium,' his posting reads.
"The listing touts Spicer's experience as a Republican communicator, citing his experience at the White House, the Republican National Committee, the Office of the US Trade Representative and Congress." | | Congress is back! Chris outlined 10 major problems it faces. They are: DACA, Harvey relief money, the debt ceiling, government shutdown, tax reform, National Flood Insurance Program, Russia, North Korea, Obamacare repeal and FAA reauthorization.
Happy end of summer. | |  | | Ron Sarchian set a mark recognized by Guinness World Records for "most watermelons split by a karate chop in one minute" on "TODAY." Watch it here. | | | In honor of that interesting Putin quote, here's a GIF of German Chancellor Angela Merkel from earlier this year rolling her eyes at the Russian President. We hope you aren't rolling your eyes as we remind you to tell people you know to subscribe to The Point. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | Get the Nightcap, a comprehensive summary of the most important political news, delivered to your inbox daily. | | | | | |
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