GREENFIELD:

Well, I think the pattern extends beyond Capitol Hill, and it indicates why some congressional Republicans who might have a lot of problems with Trump's behavior are not going to be that willing to step away from him.

The executive branch has done all kinds of regulatory changes. They've granted a lot of exceptions to the energy industry, to for-profit colleges. They've appointed into positions of government representatives from various interest groups and have given them exemptions from conflict of interest rules. They've clearly appointed some — or trying to appoint staunch conservatives to the federal bench.

And that suggests that for congressional Republicans looking at Trump, there's a thought that, well, he may have problems, but he seems to be pursuing what we conservatives have wanted the government to do for some time, which is why I think that they will be less inclined than otherwise to take sides against him in, say, a fight with the former director of the FBI.