Trump's attempt to prove stability backfires as GOP has to explain his own position to him

The embarrassing moment during a meeting on immigration with congressional leaders of both parties reignited concerns that Trump is in some form of a mental downward spiral.

Trump was asked by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) if he would support a “clean bill” to renew the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program known as DACA, which he revoked last year, without tying it to comprehensive immigration reform.

Trump responded, “We’re gonna do DACA and then we can start immediately on the phase 2, which would be comprehensive.”

That wasn’t what he was supposed to say. It isn’t the GOP position, nor is it his administration’s position — he has demanded funding for his absurd border wall as part of any deal on DACA — and his fellow Republicans had to rush in and put him back on course.

“You need to be clear here,” instructed Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, adding “you have to have security” as part of an immigration bill.

Immediately, Trump responded, “I think that’s what she’s saying.”

That wasn’t what Feinstein was saying, but Trump was clearly trying to cover for his failure.

The room erupted in a cacophony of noise as both Democrats and Republicans rushed to explain and make clear to Trump that he had gotten everything wrong.

Here’s the incredible moment where Trump initially agrees to Feinstein’s suggestion that they do a clean DACA bill, before being corrected by Republicans about what she was actually suggesting. pic.twitter.com/RaXAQAi8JF

— David Mack (@davidmackau) January 9, 2018

TRUMP: We’re gonna do DACA and then we can start immediately on the phase 2, which would be comprehensive. Yeah, I would like that. I think a lot of people would like to see that. But I think we have to do DACA first.

McCARTHY: Mr. President, you need to be clear, though. I think what Sen. Feinstein’s asking here, when we talk about just DACA — we don’t want to be back here two years later. We have to have security, as the secretary would tell you.

Democrats do not want the fate of 800,000 young immigrants and their families to continue hanging in the air. Republicans favor tying these people in with their party’s restrictive approach toward immigration.

Trump’s obvious lack of understanding of his own policy and of Feinstein’s straightforward question demonstrated why so many people are so worried about his presidency and his mental fitness.

He doesn’t grasp the enormous issues at stake or the millions of lives his policies affect. Trump is out of his depth in the most important job in the world, and once again it is on display for every American — and in fact, every person around the world.