- In a 60 Minutes interview aired on Nov. 8, President Donald Trump stated that his deportation policy was 'too tough' and suggested it 'hurt' him.
- Trump also floated the idea of a possible immigration deal, indicating he believes it is 'doable' to reach an agreement with the new Democratic majority.
- The interview was recorded shortly after Trump appointed Stephen Miller, known for his hard-line immigration policies, as his new chief of staff.
- Trump's deportation efforts have faced significant backlash, including complaints from the business community and mass protests following shootings in Minneapolis.
- The midterm elections resulted in Democrats gaining control of both the House and Senate, largely due to public discontent with Trump's policies.
- Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump's appointment of Miller, stating it was 'a promotion' rather than a course correction.
In a candid '60 Minutes' interview, President Trump reflected on his controversial immigration policies, admitting they may have been too harsh and contributed to Republican electoral losses.1
Trump stated, "I think it might be too tough, yeah," acknowledging that his mass deportation efforts were perceived as excessive.4
He expressed a willingness to negotiate with Democrats, suggesting a potential immigration deal, saying, "I think that’s something that’s actually doable." However, he did not provide specifics on what such a deal would entail.2
Despite his conciliatory tone, Trump appointed Stephen Miller, the architect of his hardline immigration agenda, as his new chief of staff shortly after the interview was recorded. Critics, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, dismissed this move as a promotion rather than a course correction, stating, "Apparently, his solution was to put the man responsible for it in charge of the White House."36
Trump's remarks come in the wake of significant Democratic gains in Congress, fueled by public discontent with his administration's policies. He acknowledged that his aggressive immigration stance had drawn complaints from the business community, particularly in sectors reliant on immigrant labor, stating, "Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them."
“Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer mocked the pivot, saying Trump's solution was to promote the architect of the crackdown, not course-correct. The interview aired after Democrats swept both chambers, and Trump's comments drew sharp backlash from the right, including Megyn Kelly's 'Now amnesty? Seriously?'”
AP News
