NBC: Obama Set to 'Make Good On a Promise to Sidestep Congress'

On Thursday's NBC Today, co-host Savannah Guthrie framed President Obama's upcoming executive order granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants as him simply keeping his word: "President Obama will address the nation tonight on the hot-button issue of immigration reform, planning to make good on a progress – a promise to sidestep Congress and take executive action."

Moments later, correspondent Peter Alexander declared: "The President is committed and tonight in primetime he's going to announce his action, after Congress's failure to approve a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Frustrated that Washington's let America's immigration crisis to fester for decades, tonight the President will announce significant steps to fix it himself."

The segment did acknowledge the controversial nature of the order, with Guthrie noting: "it's a move that's causing a lot of criticism for him." Alexander began his report by citing opponents: "...one Republican put it this way, 'For President Obama, this isn't the audacity of hope. It's the audacity of a power grab.'"

Alexander explained:

The most controversial aspect of the President's planned action is likely to allow as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S., including the undocumented parents of children born here. It would also protect more so-called "Dreamers," young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, but not their parents. The executive order is expected to extend the stay of foreign graduates of U.S. colleges with high-tech skills.

Returning to the Republican opposition, Alexander featured soundbites of Texas Senator John Cornyn and Arizona Senator John McCain warning the President against the divisive action.

Alexander also highlighted public objection to the plan: "A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows Americans aren't entirely on board either. Nearly half oppose the President taking executive action on immigration. Just 38% approve. As the President picks a major fight over a hotly debated issue."

Here is a full transcript of the November 20 report:

7:08 AM ET

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Turn to politics now, President Obama will address the nation tonight on the hot-button issue of immigration reform, planning to make good on a progress – a promise to sidestep Congress and take executive action. Instead, it's a move that's causing a lot of criticism for him. NBC national correspondent Peter Alexander is at the White House for us. Peter, good morning to you.

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: The President's Immigration Plan; Addresses Nation Tonight On Controversial Topic]

PETER ALEXANDER: Savannah, good morning to you. As for that criticism, one Republican put it this way, "For President Obama, this isn't the audacity of hope. It's the audacity of a power grab." But the President is committed and tonight in primetime he's going to announce his action, after Congress's failure to approve a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Frustrated that Washington's let America's immigration crisis to fester for decades, tonight the President will announce significant steps to fix it himself.

BARACK OBAMA: So what I'm going to be laying out is the things that I can I do with my lawful authority as president to make the system work better.

ALEXANDER: The most controversial aspect of the President's planned action is likely to allow as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S., including the undocumented parents of children born here. It would also protect more so-called "Dreamers," young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, but not their parents. The executive order is expected to extend the stay of foreign graduates of U.S. colleges with high-tech skills.

Late Wednesday, the President hosted more than a dozen Democrats for dinner at the White House to explain his decision.

Even before President Obama announces a thing, by acting alone, his Republicans critics say he's betraying his own words.

OBAMA [FEBRUARY 14, 2013]: I'm the President of the United States, I'm not the emperor of the United States.

SEN. JOHN CORNYN [R-TX]: I believe his unilateral action, which is unconstitutional and illegal, will deeply harm our prospects for immigration reform.

ALEXANDER: Senator John McCain pressed the President to wait for the new Congress.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN [R-AZ]: Give them some time. Not a deadline, but some time.

ALEXANDER: A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows Americans aren't entirely on board either. Nearly half oppose the President taking executive action on immigration. Just 38% approve. As the President picks a major fight over a hotly debated issue.

After tonight's primetime speech, the President will travel to the same Las Vegas high school where he addressed immigration reform almost two years ago, to make his case to an American public that supports a pathway to citizenship, but Savannah and Matt, disagrees that this is the right approach.

GUTHRIE: Peter Alexander at the White House for us. And by the way, NBC News will bring you the President's address live on MSNBC, our sister network Telemundo, and also NBCNews.com.