Trump Lost. Pelosi Won

I don’t remember who it was, but last week, a Republican, I believe, said that the government shutdown would probably continue until air traffic controllers walked off the job.

Nat'l Air Traffic Controllers Assoc.: "We have warned about what could happen as a result of the prolonged shutdown. Many controllers have reached the breaking point of exhaustion, stress, and worry caused by this shutdown. Each hour that goes by … makes the situation worse."

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 25, 2019

Well, that began to happen this morning, as LaGuardia shut down flights, which quickly began to spread to other airports and the shortage of TSA agents and air-traffic controllers turned our already nightmarish airline system into an even bigger snarled dystopia.

A few hours later, Trump agreed to re-open the government, essentially deciding under pressure from Mitch McConnell to sign the Democrats’ bill to re-open for three weeks while negotiations continue over the wall. This might be a temporary re-opening, but I have to believe that not even Trump is dumb enough to go through this again, not after Trump’s approval ratings took a header during this shutdown. Then again, this is Trump we’re talking about. He doesn’t exactly operate using common sense. If the government shuts down again, though, he’s even more f**ked than he already is, and by re-opening the government, he’s also given up all his leverage.

In other words: Trump lost. Even Fox News admits as much.

Fox’s John Roberts on the reported deal to re-open the government without border wall funding: “It’s difficult to see this as anything but the president giving in to Democrats on Capitol Hill” pic.twitter.com/EaybocbT8w

— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) January 25, 2019

And he’s in a GREAT mood about it.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

Pelosi, meanwhile, is doing fine.

Pelosi, asked how Trump will handle backdown on reopening government without wall money, gestures toward her office decorations: “we could plant these flowers along the border and he’d say, ‘I got my wall.’ “

— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 25, 2019

—-

A former White House official texts me, unsolicited: “Trump looks pathetic…he just ceded his presidency to Nancy Pelosi.”

— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) January 25, 2019

What you’re seeing today is the beginning of the lame duck chapter in Trump's presidency.

This shutdown is all Trump has left. This is one of the last times he'll feel in control.

After this, the House, Mueller, and the several other corruption investigations will consume him.

— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) January 25, 2019