Deal, or no deal?

D.C. in the age of Trump is an often confusing place — where policy pronouncements too often come in the form of 140 characters.

So first Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer raced to put out a statement late Wednesday night — following their White House dinner — saying they had struck a deal with President Trump that would protect some 800,000 young undocumented immigrants in exchange for certain border security measures — not including Trump’s border wall.

By dawn the president was tweeting, “No deal was made last night on DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]. Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent. Would be subject to vote.”

Well, yes, generally voting in Congress is how things get done.

As he left to view relief efforts in Florida yesterday Trump, responding to shouted questions said, “We’re working on a plan — subject to getting massive border controls . . .

“I think something can happen, we’ll see what happens, but something will happen.”

And about that wall?

“The wall will come later, we’re right now renovating large sections of wall, massive sections, making it brand new.”

As elements of his base bemoan any notion of an agreement on immigration — especially one that doesn’t include “the wall” — Trump continues to muddy the waters. Obfuscation does seem to have its political advantages.

It does appear clear, however, that Trump and the Democratic leaders at some point in the process of consuming their Chinese food agreed to disagree on the issue of the wall — to at least put that off for another time.

Schumer insisted yesterday in remarks on the Senate floor, “We Democrats are for border security.” What that means in practice — Schumer mentioned the possible use of drones not surprisingly made in his home state — will no doubt be part of any future agreement.

Throughout all this back and forth one Trump tweet stands out:

“Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really! ..... ”

The answer to that should be “no way.” The rest is negotiable.