The “Softening” That Never Came to Pass

After all the talk about Donald Trump softening his approach to illegal immigration, the Republican nominee proved Wednesday that you can’t believe a single word coming from the mainstream political media. Not ever. Sure, they may report the facts once in a while, but you can never assume that you’re hearing the whole truth. In fact, you can almost always assume the opposite.

Even after 13 months, it’s still hard to wrap our minds around what we’re seeing in Donald Trump. Years and years of momentum and observation make it extraordinarily difficult to see what’s right in front of our eyes: A man who is, in almost every respect, unlike any politician we have ever seen. We keep subconsciously waiting for Trump to turn into one of those politicians.

When the news started trickling out about Trump’s shift on illegal immigration, liberals and conservatives alike thought the moment had come. Everyone who called Trump a “con artist” in the primaries would be vindicated. After all the bluster and the hype, the billionaire had become everything he warned us about: A self-serving, two-faced liar who never had the slightest intention of carrying out his promises.

Even some of Trump’s fiercest champions – like conservative author Ann Coulter – took shots at the nominee, accusing him of betraying the public that had trusted him.

But on Wednesday, Trump stood tall in Phoenix, Arizona, and let the world know: No matter what you might hear in the press, the Donald Trump you know and love is still very much alive.

“Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation,” Trump said. “That is what it means to have laws and to have a country.”

While Trump acknowledged that his administration would concentrate on deporting illegals with a violent criminal record, he said that no one in the country without authorization would be above the law.

“As with any law enforcement activity, we will set priorities,” he said. “But unlike this administration, no one will be immune or exempt from enforcement.”

Yesterday, a foolish site called Restore American Glory fell for the media’s lies. We doubted Trump and questioned his commitment to the central theme of his campaign: Putting America “first.”

In his Arizona speech, though, Trump made it clear that his priorities were still the same.

“There is only one core issue in the immigration debate,” he said, “and that issue is the well-being of the American people.”

Regardless of which policies he chooses to pursue or forgo, Trump’s presidency will be a success if he sticks to that philosophy.

That doesn’t mean he is, or will ever be, above criticism.

But until he gives us a reason, we won’t doubt him again.