Trump Admits Deportation Policy Was 'Too Tough' Following Midterm Losses

President Donald Trump acknowledged that his administration's aggressive deportation tactics were "too tough" and contributed to Republican defeats in the 2026 midterm elections.

In a 60 Minutes interview with Ross Douthat on Sunday, President Trump admitted his deportation policy was potentially a political liability. According to The Guardian, the president conceded that while his administration received high marks for border security, the crackdown had "hurt" him by targeting undocumented immigrants with good jobs and no criminal records beyond their illegal entry.

Trump signaled a willingness to negotiate with congressional Democrats on immigration reform. NBC News reported that Trump expressed openness to a deal that could grant legal status to long-term undocumented residents who work and pay taxes, while maintaining a focus on removing individuals convicted of serious crimes like drug dealing and murder.

Despite acknowledging the policy's harshness, Trump promoted Stephen Miller, the architect of the crackdown, to White House chief of staff on Friday. France 24 reported that this appointment signals a bare-knuckle fightback by the administration, even as the president admits the enforcement strategy alienated many voters.

The midterm results, which Fox News described as a "blue tsunami" that reached Republican strongholds like Texas, have left the president's party without control of Congress. While Trump blamed "bad messaging" for the losses, he also vowed to make a political comeback, stating on social media that the movement would return "bigger and stronger than ever before."

Background

Since returning to office, the Trump administration has conducted sweeping ICE raids in homes and workplaces. Earlier this year, federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during operations in Minneapolis.