Washington, October 6, 2025 — President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to southern states has ignited sharp political debate across the country. CNN political analyst Harry Enten described the move as “a political loser” that could hurt the president and his party ahead of next year’s congressional elections.
The deployment, announced last week, was intended to address what the administration called an “uncontrolled border crisis.” The plan faced immediate legal challenges, and a federal judge temporarily blocked the order on Saturday. The White House has appealed the ruling and vowed to continue the fight.
Enten said Trump’s action may energize his conservative base but could alienate independent and moderate voters who view the measure as excessive. “Every poll we have seen shows that most Americans are tired of political battles and want effective governance,” Enten said during a segment on CNN. “When presidents overstep, the public notices. This National Guard order looks like overreach, and politically it is a loser.”
According to new Innovation Times–Ipsos polling, 58 percent of Americans disapprove of deploying the National Guard for domestic enforcement. Among independent voters, disapproval climbs to nearly 70 percent. Political analysts say these numbers could spell trouble for Republican candidates in swing states next year.
Trump defended his decision during remarks at the White House on Sunday, calling the ruling “a setback for national security.” He said the deployment was necessary to address rising illegal border crossings and cartel activity along the southern border. “The United States will always protect its borders,” Trump said. “We are not backing down.”
Judge Karen Delgado’s ruling cited constitutional limits on presidential authority, saying the administration had failed to justify the use of the Guard without congressional approval. The Justice Department immediately filed an appeal, calling the decision “deeply flawed.”
“This case is about whether the president can act decisively when Congress refuses to do its job,” said White House legal adviser Stephen Miller. “The president will continue to defend America’s sovereignty and safety.”
Enten, however, said public opinion trends suggest the White House could be misreading the political climate. “The data shows that independents and suburban voters are moving away from confrontational politics,” he said. “If the administration turns this into another fight with the courts, it risks looking out of touch with what most Americans want.”
The political reaction has been mixed. Republican governors in Texas and Arizona have supported the deployment, while Democrats and civil rights advocates have praised the court’s intervention. “This ruling protects the Constitution,” said Andrea Morales of the Border Rights Coalition. “No president should have unchecked power to use the military for domestic law enforcement.”
Even within the Republican Party, some lawmakers have expressed concern. Senator John Thune said he supports border security but warned against actions that “stretch legal authority.” Others, like Representative Elise Stefanik, accused liberal judges of undermining public safety.
Enten said the divide reflects a larger challenge for the Republican Party as it prepares for the 2026 elections. “Trump is still the dominant figure in Republican politics, but that does not mean his strategies are winning over new voters,” he said. “When independents view an issue as an abuse of power, it becomes a long-term political problem.”
Polling data from Gallup and Pew Research show a nation divided on the issue. Forty-three percent of Americans approve of Trump’s border strategy, while 53 percent disapprove. Among Republicans, approval remains high at 88 percent, but among Democrats, it falls to 19 percent.
Enten said those numbers could foreshadow potential losses for Trump-backed candidates. “The president is governing for his base, not for the middle,” he said. “That might win applause at rallies, but it doesn’t win elections.”
At a campaign-style event in El Paso on Saturday night, Trump promised to appeal the court’s decision and continue his border enforcement efforts. “We are going to protect our country and our people,” he told the cheering crowd. “No activist judge will stop us.”
As the legal battle continues, the political consequences are becoming clearer. The White House faces growing criticism over the scope of its authority, while Democrats see an opportunity to portray the administration as reckless. Analysts warn that the issue could dominate headlines well into the 2026 campaign season.
“This is not just about immigration,” Enten said in his closing remarks. “It is about power, perception, and political timing. History shows that when presidents push too far, the voters usually push back.”
