Even as another cabinet member departs his administration, the president demonstrates once again his vice-like grip on Republican primary voters, while Democrats release a clumsy analysis of why they lost to Trump in the first place.

So for more on the week in politics, we turn to Brooks and Capehart.

That's the Atlantic's David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart of MS.

Now, gentlemen, so nice to see you.

Thank you.

Jonathan, as I just mentioned, once again, the president faced with two Republican thorns in his side,

Thomas Massey and Bill Cassidy.

The president says, I want you primary voters to chuck these two guys out and put my loyalists in their stead.

And they do. They get rid of two popular local political leaders.

What do you make of this ongoing ability that he has? Well, I mean, on one hand,

this is nothing new. If you pay attention to the polls, you know that, one, the president only cares

about his standing among Republicans, particularly MAGA Republicans, and two, Republicans by and

still lockstep behind the president, although overall

less than they were before.

But macro- Republicans haven't really moved.

They have stayed with the president.

And not just in getting rid of Cassidy in Louisiana, but also a few local legislators

in Indiana who defied the president and in his wishes for redistricting.

So, you know, if you are a sitting member of any legislature and you've gone sideways

with the president and the president then says, I'm backing your opponent, you have to-

Waking in your boots. You have to fear.

And the primary was Saturday night.

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