Trump must remember: Democrats and the mainstream media will never be his allies

President Donald Trump should understand a fundamental reality of American politics: no matter how many compromises he offers or how far he moves toward the political center, Democrats and much of the mainstream national media are unlikely to become his allies. His recent 60 Minutes interview raised serious questions about whether he fully recognizes that reality. At a time when his political influence faces growing challenges, abandoning the promises that brought him to power could prove to be a costly mistake.

During the interview with journalist Ross Douthat, Trump was asked to identify one issue on which he would be willing to work with a Democratic majority in Congress. His immediate answer was immigration. He suggested that some undocumented immigrants working in landscaping companies, hotels and other businesses, particularly those who pay taxes, should be allowed to remain in the United States.

At first glance, the remarks might appear to reflect a more pragmatic approach to immigration. After all, the United States has millions of undocumented immigrants who have become part of its labor force. Businesses depend on immigrant workers, and some American voters have expressed concerns about the human and economic consequences of aggressive deportation policies. However, Trump must be careful not to confuse public concern over individual deportation cases with a broader rejection of immigration enforcement.