Trump Says Deportation Policy 'Might Have Been Too Tough' After Midterm Loss
Donald Trump has conceded his deportation drive 'might have been too tough' after Republicans lost both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Shealeah Craighead
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 — Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration’s deportation policy “might have been too tough”, conceding in his first major interview since the midterms that the crackdown cost Republicans support, according to CNBC-TV18. The interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, recorded on Friday and broadcast on Sunday evening, came days after Republicans lost both chambers of Congress in the 3 November midterms, and CBS News exit polling found 58 per cent of voters believed the administration’s immigration actions had gone too far.
Correspondent Ross Douthat asked whether the deportation policy had gone too far. “I think it might be too tough, yeah,” Trump replied. He said the crackdown had “both helped and hurt” him politically, because enforcement had swept up people with jobs who had built lives in the United States, whose offence was that they had entered the country illegally. He gave himself an “A plus” for closing the border and removing people with criminal records.
- Trump told CBS News’ 60 Minutes that his deportation policy “might have been too tough”, saying the crackdown had “both helped and hurt” him politically.
- CBS News exit polling found 58 per cent of voters believed the administration’s immigration actions had gone too far.
- There is no sign of enforcement easing: ICE officials were recently told to aim for about 19,000 arrests a week, or roughly 2,700 a day, up from 2,000 a day.
- Trump named Stephen Miller, architect of his hardline immigration agenda, as his new chief of staff.
No sign of easing
Despite the admission, there is no sign of enforcement easing. US officials told CBS News that Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement had received no instructions to reduce operations. Agency sources said ICE officials had been told to aim for about 19,000 arrests a week, or roughly 2,700 a day, up from 2,000 a day.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Earlier ICE arrest target | About 2,000 a day |
| New ICE arrest target | About 19,000 a week, or roughly 2,700 a day |
| Voters who say immigration actions went too far | 58 per cent (CBS News) |
Miller takes over as chief of staff
Trump named Stephen Miller, the key architect of his hardline immigration agenda, as his new chief of staff. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the move, saying: “Trump says his immigration crackdown went too far. Apparently, his solution was to put the man responsible for it in charge of the White House. That’s not a course correction. That’s a promotion.” Trump said he could work with the new Democratic majorities on an immigration deal, though offering no specifics.
The drive so far
The deportation drive has defined Trump’s return to office, with major operations in multiple cities sending arrests soaring. Two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal officers during protests against the operations. Trump also pointed to other explanations for the Republican defeat, including the economy, higher fuel prices and the war with Iran. In September, Republican Representative Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida warned that many Hispanic voters who supported Trump in 2024 felt betrayed.
What happens next
Democrats have said oversight of immigration enforcement will be a priority when they take control of Congress in January, and Trump has said a deal with them is “actually doable”. For now, the crackdown continues at its higher arrest target.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about the policy?
He told CBS News’ 60 Minutes that it “might have been too tough”, while giving himself an “A plus” for closing the border and removing people with criminal records. He said the crackdown had “both helped and hurt” him politically.
Is immigration enforcement slowing down?
No. US officials told CBS News that Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement had received no instructions to reduce operations. ICE officials were told to aim for about 19,000 arrests a week, up from 2,000 a day.
What did Schumer say about the Miller appointment?
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said: “Trump says his immigration crackdown went too far. Apparently, his solution was to put the man responsible for it in charge of the White House. That’s not a course correction. That’s a promotion.”
What do Democrats plan in January?
Democrats have said oversight of immigration enforcement will be a priority when they take control of Congress in January. Trump has said a deal with them is “actually doable”, though he offered no specifics.
