At this point the Trump Administration is trying to convince one group in this detention center debacle: Republicans who are somewhat uncomfortable with his rhetoric and actions. 1/
In the campaign these people were Cruz and Rubio supporters who blanched at Trump’s obvious racism but were brought back to the fold by Bannon in Fall 2016. 2/
You might remember Trump’s “what the hell do you have to lose?” speeches that were reportedly toward African Americans but were actually intended for white voters anxious about their own racism. 3/
The rhetoric was that Trump just wanted to help African Americans, which put much of that Republican base at ease because they wanted to believe they weren’t prejudiced but realistic and empathic. 4/
Bannon’s speeches created that bridge for them, and that rhetoric is here in the detention debate. It’s nit cruel, it’s for their own good. What else can we do? We wish Democrats would help but... 5/
We’re seeing some mainstream Republicans stand against it, but the appeal now is to keep the base from panicking because they realize they’re complicit in this monstrous situation. 6/
Republicans will mostly stand by on this until their base pushes them, and this appeal now is designed to try and stave that off for as long as possible. 7/7
