President Donald Trump said his administration’s deportation policies may have been “too tough,” acknowledging in a CBS “60 Minutes” interview that the approach likely hurt Republicans in last week’s midterm elections by removing workers who had steady jobs and otherwise clean records.
The interview, recorded Friday and aired Sunday, was Trump’s first major sit-down since Democrats won control of both the House and Senate. Trump said his immigration policies “both helped and hurt” the GOP. He credited himself with an “A+” for securing the southern border and removing people with criminal records, but said the broader enforcement effort cost political support.
“I get hurt because we also took people that had good jobs, that created one violation, or breaking of the law, and that was that they came into the country illegally,” Trump told correspondent Ross Douthat. He described workers in landscaping, hotels, and other industries who had lived in the U.S. for years, some paying taxes. “I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, yeah. … I think, ultimately, that hurt me.”
60 MINUTES REPORT: Ross Douthat interviews President Trump in his first sit-down interview since the 2026 midterm elections. The wide-ranging conversation covered immigration and corruption, Iran and artificial intelligence, his potential successors and his own mortality. The interview begins with the election results.
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) November 9, 2026
Trump said a large share of the country wants all people in the U.S. illegally removed, while another large share believes those without criminal records should be allowed to stay. He indicated he is open to working with the new Democratic majorities on an immigration deal that could include some form of legal status for long-term workers without criminal records. “I think that’s something that’s actually doable,” he said.
The comments come as Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues interior enforcement operations under the administration’s mass-deportation agenda. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin posted on X the day after the election that “Deportations will continue.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer responded to Trump’s interview by noting the president had just elevated Stephen Miller, a key architect of the enforcement strategy, to White House chief of staff.
Trump maintained that removing “killers,” “drug dealers,” and other serious offenders remains a priority. He did not announce any immediate changes to ICE operations or targeting criteria.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
