The rumors started earlier this weekend and I’m pretty sure that even Donald Trump’s most lukewarm supporters were dubious. There were supposedly comments made during a meeting with Hispanic leaders and advocates which could have been interpreted as saying that Trump might be softening on illegal immigration and deportations. But anyone’s comments can be misinterpreted, or perhaps The Donald was just trying to grease the skids a bit during that meeting and got carried away. Last night on Twitter I noticed Allahpundit reminding everyone of the line in the sand.

I know he’s already endorsed touchback amnesty, but that still involves deportation. He can’t renege on deportation.

— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) August 21, 2016

It’s the one constant in the Trump campaign to date and, frankly, one of the things I found most appealing about him. There’s simply no way he bails out on the immigration question, right? But his new campaign manager showed up for the Sunday shows today and had everyone’s jaws dropping when the question was put directly to her and she had an answer ready. (The Hill)

Donald Trump’s new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, on Sunday declined to say whether or not the Republican nominee still backs a deportation force to remove the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country.

“To be determined,” Conway said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked whether Trump’s immigration plans would include such a force.

Trump has previously called for a deportation force.

Conway attempted to clarify Trump’s stance on immigration, saying the candidate wants to ensure the law is enforced.

“What he supports is to make sure that we enforce the law, that we are respectful of those Americans who are looking for well-paying jobs, and that we are fair and humane for those who live among us in this country,” she said.

C’mon, man. There’s just no way Trump can possibly walk this one back, assuming that his new campaign manager is actually speaking for him. It was only a few months ago when he was telling the daughter of illegal immigrants right to her face that he would be deporting her parents. (Mediaite)

Lauer: What’s your plan for her relatives?

Trump: They’ve been here how many years? We’re going to do something. For people that have been — look, we’re either going to have a country or we’re not going to have a country. But many people are very fine people. and I’m sure these are very, very fine people. They’re going to go, and we’re going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, okay? But it has to be done legally.

Eckman: You will deport them first, right?

Trump: They’re going to go, and then come back and come back legally. We have wonderful people. It’s too tough to say you’ll never come back again. They’re coming back, but they’re coming back into our country legally. so important. Now, that might not be the perfect answer for you.

That’s the so-called “touchback” plan which is troubling enough. For hard line immigration enforcement advocates, those who come here illegally should actually go to the back of the line behind those who have been following the rules and going through the process, not to the head of the line. If we are to assume for the moment that Conway is actually preaching the current policy position of her boss, I don’t see how Trump can even consider this without finally having a revolt among his own base who got him the nomination in the first place. What about the wall, dude? What about the big, beautiful wall and the trainloads of illegals who would be getting a free ride to the far side of it?

The only other possibility is that Conway was flying by the seat of her pants based on some initial policy meetings with the boss where he said he might consider some changes and she took a flyer on State of the Union. If that’s the case, Trump will be asked about it personally in the very near future and he’ll bat it down with some comment about her being confused on his position because she’d only just come onboard.

The only other alternative is some sort of weak tea answer about how he’s been thinking it over and is considering all of his options. If that’s the case, prepare for a full blown strike among Trump’s base. It’s either that or… well, I’ll leave the final observation on this score to Allahpundit once again.

Trump flipping on legalization really would be the acid test of whether his cult will indulge him anything

— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) August 21, 2016