Trump says deportation policy may have been ‘too tough’ after midterm defeat

Asked in a CBS *60 Minutes* interview whether his deportation policy had gone too far, Trump replied: “I think it might be too tough, yeah.” The interview was recorded on 6 November and broadcast on 8 November, after Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections.

Trump said his immigration crackdown had both helped and hurt him politically. He pointed to people with good jobs who had been removed, mentioning workers in hotels and landscaping and saying that some paid taxes. He said he still wanted people such as killers and drug dealers removed, but suggested a deal could be reached for some long-term residents.

The president said he would like to work with Democrats on immigration and believed an agreement was possible, though he gave no details of what it would contain. Democrats are set to take control of both chambers of Congress next year.

In CBS exit polling, 58% of voters said the administration’s actions on immigration had gone too far. Asked which party was better able to handle immigration, 43% chose Republicans and 41% Democrats.

Since Trump returned to office, illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border have fallen sharply, while arrests and deportations within the country have increased. CBS reported that a large share of those arrested had no criminal record beyond immigration offences.

Shortly after the interview was recorded, Trump named Stephen Miller, a key architect of his immigration policy, to replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised the appointment, saying: “That’s not a course correction. That’s a promotion.” CBS said it was unclear whether the administration planned to alter its enforcement strategy.