Donald Trump has faced a storm of criticism from members of his own party over his backflip on a few issues. Photo / AP
Donald Trump has faced a storm of criticism from members of his own party over his backflip on a few issues. Photo / AP
Donald Trump has further fuelled division within his own party after backing a controversial deal on immigration.
However it's not the only key issue the US President has appeared to change his mind on in recent weeks, leaving some Republicans fuming.
The decision to pursue a deal with Democrats thatwould protect thousands of undocumented immigrants from deportation without securing a campaign promise to build a wall with Mexico has angered his hardcore supporters.
Trump said this week he was "fairly close" to an agreement with congressional Democrats that would enshrine protections for young immigrants established by former President Barack Obama.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said any legislation to protect the group known as the "Dreamers" would be paired with measures to strengthen border security, which he called "the root cause" of problems from widespread opioid addiction to violent gangs.
However the decision hasn't sat well with some Republicans who called the deal a betrayal.
Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer reached a deal with the President on legislation that would offer eventual citizenship to the immigrants in question.
According to the Washington Post, staunch conservative allies of the President have erupted in anger over the apparent about face.
Key Republican immigration hawk Steve King said "Trump's base is blown up, destroyed, irreparable, and disillusioned beyond repair."
Conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham also appeared to mock him in a tweet.
However Trump tweeted no deal on DACA had been made.
Trump's deal with Democrats hasn't gone down too well with some Republicans. Photo / AP
Meanwhile West Wing officials told the Daily Beast Trump has been upbeat and they couldn't remember a time when he was this "pleased" for a sustained, consecutive number of days while in office.
An outraged Republican also gave their appraisal of the immigration deal.
"We got used to the new normal of chaos," the source said.
"Maybe [the] new new normal is betrayal for really no reason."
Hard line immigration groups and members of Trump's nationalist followers are also outraged by the apparent change of heart.
Immigration was a core election campaign and Trump repeatedly called for the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Just days ago, he appeared to soften his stance, tweeting these young people were brought to the US through no fault of their own.
It isn't the first time the President has appeared to change his mind on a major issue.
Unveiling his new Afghanistan strategy last month, Trump admitted changing his mind about one of America's costliest wars, saying decisions are made differently from behind a desk in the Oval Office.
His decision was a far cry from his call in 2012 where he called for a complete withdrawal from the war-torn country altogether.
'Mixed messages'
Meanwhile after a succession of mixed messages on the US stance on climate change, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed the Trump administration was seeking "ways in which we can work with partners in the Paris climate accord".
"We want to be productive, we want to be helpful," Tillerson said on the CBS program Face the Nation.
His comments did not amount to a reversal from Trump's widely criticised decision in June to withdraw from the landmark pact, signed by almost 200 countries.
Some Republicans have called Trump's immigration deal a betrayal. Photo / AP
However Tillerson did appear to signal a softening from Trump's earlier characterisation of the deal as a "draconian" pact that impinged on American sovereignty and unfairly favoured countries like China and India over the US.
When European environment officials suggested over the weekend that the United States might be ready to re-engage with the pact, the White House said that its position was unchanged, and that it could stay only if more "favourable" terms were achieved.
The remarks come days before Trump is to speak before world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York, where climate change seems sure to be a major topic.
They also came after two devastating hurricanes struck the US mainland in recent weeks - made more intense, some scientists said, by waters warmed by climate change.
The process to withdraw from the Paris pact is long.
If Trump sticks to his plan, the United States would not formally pull out until November 4, 2020 - a day after the next US presidential election.
