The Note: Nothing ‘simple’ about crisis stemming from separating migrant families

The TAKE with Rick Klein

Stephen Miller calls it a “simple decision,” and Steve Bannon calls it an obvious offshoot of “zero tolerance” – so easy to defend, he said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” that it doesn’t even need justification.

But there’s nothing simple or self-explanatory about the growing crisis surrounding the separation of children from parents apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. The story is quickly becoming a tipping point of national concern, revealing divisions among conservatives and even inside the White House itself.

Because of President Donald Trump’s insistence, it’s now being wrapped into the long-running debate over immigration policy and border security. House Republicans have competing proposals to consider this week – neither of which is likely to become law.

Trump’s meeting with Hill leaders Monday and Tuesday could provide clarity. But the president has so far done the opposite, falsely blaming a Democratic-backed law for his administration’s policy choice, and suggesting that he’d veto the version of the immigration bill being pushed by House leadership, only to have the White House clean that up hours later.

Congressional Republicans have been here before. And they got a reminder of what could happen when the president clashes with elements of his own base, with Bannon urging the president to reject both bills – and also endorsing a government shutdown this fall if the border wall isn’t funded.

In some ways, Trump has been gearing up for a fight like this since he took the most famous escalator ride in political history, now more than three years ago. But with searing images of children rolling in, this could be the worst time for Trump and his party to hash this out.

The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks

The White House has denied it, but more and more it seems hundreds of children recently separated from their parents at the border are being used as political leverage.

Its advisers, who faced this question over the weekend, objected to the idea and cried foul, but the president and administration spokespeople earlier in the week continued to point fingers at Democrats over the issue.

Throwing up their hands at their own policy shift, the administration blamed Democrats for not coming to the table to negotiate on a broader immigration reform.

Meanwhile, Democrats, of course, argued it’s hard to come to a table you’re not invited to.

Neither of the bills slated for votes in the House this week include, at this point, much in the way of bipartisan compromises. And while Republicans have all the power in the nation’s capital, it seems they have not reached a consensus on immigration reform -- hence the need for cross party votes.

The last time immigration was up for a debate and votes in Congress, there were calls for simpler bills. Would one focused solely on the question of providing a long-term solution for the “Dreamers” have passed?

The question this go-around: Would a standalone measure forcing the administration to halt this new, unprecedented practice of separating children, pass with a bipartisan coalition if brought to a vote?

The TIP with John Verhovek

"I have solved that problem."

That was how President Trump confidently declared diplomatic victory last Friday in his impromptu, no-holds-barred gaggle with reporters when discussing his recent summit with North Korea.

But according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, the American public -- even those loyal to Trump and the GOP -- is maintaining a deep skepticism about the success and future benefits of the historic détente.

Nearly half of Republicans -- 49 percent -- and 34 percent of conservatives call the Trump-Kim summit a success, a view that falls sharply to the teens or single digits for independents, moderates, Democrats and liberals alike.

But even as skepticism remains, the president seems to have earned at least a measure of new trust from those who believe there could be a day when North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons.

In an ABC/Post poll in April, just 30 percent believed it was likely that North Korea would denuclearize following a meeting with President Trump. Following the historic summit that number has now grown to 41 percent.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform. She believes we need to be a country that follows all laws, but also a country that governs with heart.” — A statement on behalf of first lady Melania Trump issued by Stephanie Grisham, her communications director, on family separation at the border.

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Not necessary to justify separating kids, parents at border, 'it's zero tolerance’: Bannon. “We ran on a policy - very simply - stop mass illegal immigration and limit legal immigration, get our sovereignty back to help our workers, and so he went to a zero tolerance policy," Bannon said. "It's a crime to come across illegally and children get separated. I mean, I hate to say it, that's the law and he's enforcing the law.” Nearly 2,000 migrant children -- 1,995 -- were separated from 1,940 adults between April 19 and May 31, after being caught illegally crossing the border, a Department of Homeland Security official told reporters during a conference call Friday. (Quinn Scanlan) https://abcn.ws/2t4Gxnf

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In an op-ed, former first lady Laura Bush strongly denounced the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy separating families at the border. “I appreciate the need to enforce and protect our international boundaries, but this zero-tolerance policy is cruel. It is immoral. And it breaks my heart,” she wrote in the Washington Post. https://wapo.st/2yu1zB1

The Note is a daily ABC News feature that highlights the key political moments of the day ahead. Please check back tomorrow for the latest.