President Donald Trump’s most powerful and visible achievement since returning to office has been securing the southern border — a sharp contrast to the chaos voters remember under previous Democratic leadership.
That assessment comes from longtime political analyst Chuck Todd, who acknowledged during a recent Newsmax appearance that when Americans think about the top national issues of 2024, border security rises to the top — and Trump gets the credit.
According to Todd, voter polling consistently shows that immigration enforcement and border stability are the areas where President Trump scores his strongest public approval. After years of unchecked illegal crossings, voters see clear action, firm leadership, and restored enforcement.
In other words, the border issue that Washington elites struggled to control for decades is now one of Trump’s clearest wins.
Todd also pointed to developments overseas, particularly in the Middle East, where Trump has worked to reduce tensions and reassert American strength. While progress has not been uniform, Todd noted that Trump’s direct leadership style often proves more effective in volatile regions than in bureaucratic-heavy Europe.
Still, Todd said the administration’s biggest challenge moving forward is economic messaging — especially on tariffs.
While tariffs are designed to protect American jobs, rebuild manufacturing, and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, Todd said voters remain focused on affordability. Rising prices, household budgets, and everyday expenses continue to weigh heavily on working families and retirees alike.
That focus on affordability, Todd explained, has allowed some Democratic candidates to remain competitive individually — even as the Democratic Party’s overall image remains deeply unpopular nationwide.
He noted that many Americans have not yet fully felt the benefits of recent tax cuts, limiting their immediate political impact despite their long-term economic potential.
But Todd argued Democrats face a much bigger problem than policy.
According to him, the party is divided not just between progressives and moderates — but between those who want to fight and those who want to unite.
“The real divide is fight versus unite,” Todd said, describing a Democratic base that increasingly rewards confrontation over compromise.
Early 2028 polling reflects that shift. California Governor Gavin Newsom has gained attention by aggressively attacking Trump, energizing Democratic activists who favor constant political warfare.
Meanwhile, more moderate governors like Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Andy Beshear of Kentucky — who emphasize cooperation and bipartisan solutions — have failed to generate the same enthusiasm within the party base.
Todd concluded that the direction of the Democratic Party may ultimately depend on the upcoming midterm elections. A strong showing could push Democrats toward the center, while disappointing results may drive them further toward the radical left.
For now, one fact is undeniable: Trump’s success at the border stands out as his most visible victory — and voters are paying attention.