And the Republicans have forgotten how to stop a demagogue from becoming their presidential candidate.
Indeed, the next shutdown might come before very long. And there’s no sign that Trump or his opponents are in a compromising mood.
It can be hard to look past the President’s excesses – but the realities of government and the economy tell a more mixed story than you might assume.
The circumstances may be exceptional, but the populist hurricane that bore him into the White House is clearly on the wane.
With an alarmingly few legislative days before Christmas, a looming shutdown is the last thing Congress and the White House needs on their plates right now.
The Republicans are so determined to rid themselves of their candidate the leadership is thinking of running a write-in challenger.
His high-risk legislative strategy seems to be based on writing off 2017-18, and relying on the midterm elections returning a much more supportive caucus.
The American President got elected by infuriating the liberals, but is incapable of governing by the same means.
It’s hard to see enough Republican legislators backing it, but don’t put it past the President to change that.
The President’s decision has aroused concern in both parties, and drawn attention once again to an issue he is desperate to shake off.
After the embarrassing failure of the healthcare Bill, China offers a new chance to display the art of the deal.
A failure to bring his party’s right on board, plus opposition from the Democrats, could lead to him being held hostage during the legislative process.
Not surprisingly, the country remains sharply divided as to the merits of its leader – a division that can hardly be missed in this new polling.