What really is the failure of this President is that he didn't prioritize or force this issue on day one. This is what he campaigned on, got him elected, and what he promised. He waits till he loses the majority in the House??. Huge mistake and one that I'm not so sure that he'll recover from. I question why he waited. He should have sided and utilized the Freedom Caucus instead of playing mambi-pambi to Lyin' Ryan.
I am confused by that statement? How exactly would Trump (or any other President) "utilize" the Freedom Caucus to accomplish any legislative goals in the House?
I am sure that you realize that the House leadership structure and the version of the rules that they adopt (regardless of which party holds the majority and the Speakership) is carefully controlled to ensure that legislation will only come to the House floor for a vote that is approved by the leadership.
The 30 odd members of the House Freedom Caucus were in no position to impact that in any way. The only bills that would come to the floor for a full House vote were those that Ryan approved and supported in advance. The most vocal members of the Freedom Caucus did what they could (often) by being out in the media (friendly and otherwise) to give their support to many of Trump's policies. Though formally organized under House rules as a Congressional Member Organization (CMO) there is no power to move legislation inherent in any House caucus.
Trump had to face reality when he was sworn in, Ryan was the House Speaker and McConnell was Senate Majority Leader. Those facts weren't going to change.
I suspect that he had to make some "deals" early on to get
some of his goals moved forward. Without knowing all of the details of this deal-making, all that we can do is guess and speculate.
I suspect that he was able to gain their support for three items in the 115th Congress:
1. Senate confirmation of justices and judges.
2. Mild version of tax reform (with the emphasis on the corporate side)
3. Funding to re-build the military (that was left in tatters by the prior administration).
Funding for the wall was clearly not part of these negotiations (which is why we saw it emerge at this juncture, as the 115th congress closed).
Regardless of the campaign rhetoric, every President must deal with the realities of the legislative leadership that is present.