ROOKE: Federal Agencies, Congress Working Overtime To Undo Trump’s Original Agenda

Mary Rooke Commentary and Analysis Writer August 04, 2026 4:34 PM ET As voters head into the midterm elections, they’ll be looking at how the GOP has delivered on its mandates, especially its clear directive on immigration.Voters elected President Donald Trump on a platform centered on large-scale removals of illegal immigrants and an end to the Biden-era open border policies. The influx of millions of illegal immigrants placed significant strain on almost every aspect of American lives, from housing to jobs. The electorate rejected this and demanded a fundamental reversal. Instead, Congress and members of the Trump administration consistently push for moderation rather than the much-needed intensity of the original agenda. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Sec. Markwayne Mullin has di