Trump Says Deportation Policy 'Might Have Been Too Tough'

President Trump said his deportation policy was "too tough" in a 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday. It followed heavy Republican losses in Tuesday's midterms.

Trump said removing workers whose only offense was illegal entry hurt him.
He gave his southern border record an "A+."
He blamed Republican candidates, the Iran war and gas prices for the losses.
Ross Douthat conducted the interview, his first months at CBS.

Why it matters: Latino voters who moved toward Republicans in 2024 shifted toward Democrats on Tuesday. Democrats won governorships and Senate seats in states like Texas.

Trump named Stephen Miller chief of staff on Friday, after the interview.
CTV News reported Miller backed federal agents who shot and killed two Americans this year.

The story so far

240 steps · since Oct 7

Oct 7–29
Oct 296:45 AMDemocrats Could Win Midterms, Threatening Trump's Agenda116 sources
Oct 29–31
Oct 311:11 PMDemocrats Score Midterm Wins as Republicans Suffer Rout206 sources
Nov 1
Nov 112:43 PMHaley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race112 sources
Nov 1–6
Nov 67:17 AMTrump Names Stephen Miller Chief of Staff After Midterm Losses118 sources
Nov 6–8
Nov 85:01 PMTrump Says Deportation Policy 'Might Have Been Too Tough'You are here
Nov 8
Nov 88:11 PMTrump Plans Monday Meeting With Qatar's Prime Minister on Iran3 sourcesLatest

How 27 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 27 sources

27 sources · 27 articles · 44% Left coverage

Where they split: Coverage differs on whether Trump's admission signals a real retreat or clashes with his choice of Miller as chief of staff.

Center coverage, 7 sources: The center focuses on the admission itself and the tension with appointing Miller as chief of staff.

CTV News7hTrump says deportation policy was ‘too tough’: CBS interview Associated Press3hTrump says his deportation policy ‘might have been too tough’ for voters in the election Bloomberg4hTrump Says Tough Deportation Policy Likely Hurt GOP in Midterms Financial Times2hTrump says he was ‘too tough’ on immigrants as he floats amnesty deal Newsweek4hTrump Says Mass Deportation Policy "Too Tough," Hurt Midterm Result The Hill4hTrump says his immigration crackdown ‘might be too tough’ after midterm losses Yahoo News5h10 takeaways from Trump's 60 Minutes interview: Why GOP lost the midterms, what went wrong on immigration and more

Left coverage, 12 sources: The left treats the deportation remark as one moment in a wide-ranging interview, noting it came alongside Miller's promotion.

Variety4hTrump on '60 Minutes' Reflects on Midterm Loss, Death and Forgiveness ABC News55mTrump says 'too tough' deportation policies hurt him in the midterms CNN3hTrump’s regrets on immigration enforcement, and other takeaways from his ‘60 Minutes’ interview Los Angeles Times2hTrump says his deportation policy 'might be too tough' for voters Mediaite4hTrump Stuns 60 Minutes Correspondent by Admitting His Immigration Policy Has Been ‘Too Tough’NBC News3hTrump says deportations were ‘too tough’ and hurt him during the midterms Political Wire2hTrump Concedes Immigration Policies Hurt Republicans Politico3hTrump says his deportation agenda was ‘too tough,’ repeating interest in a deal with Dems The Boston Globe58mTrump: Immigration crackdown may have ‘hurt’ Republicans in midterms The Guardian1hTrump tells 60 Minutes that deportation policy was ‘too tough’The New York Times2hTrump Says Immigration Crackdown May Have ‘Hurt’ Republicans in Midterms The Washington Post3h‘60 Minutes’ takeaways: Trump calls deportation policy ‘too tough’

Right coverage, 8 sources: The right frames it as Trump stepping back from tough enforcement after a midterm defeat while keeping credit for the border.

New York Post4hTrump backs away from hardline immigration policy after midterms blowout: 'I think it was too tough'Daily Mail3hTrump admits ICE crackdown was 'too tough' and helped hand historic win to Democrats in midterms: 'That hurt me'Just the News1dTrump says his deportation policies 'might be too tough,' open to deal with Democrats on immigration Newsmax4hTrump Concedes Immigration Policy Maybe 'Too Tough'OutKick2hTrump admits immigration enforcement may have been too 'tough' in first interview since midterms The Right Scoop3hBREAKING VIDEO - Trump says deportation polices too tough, explains how he might work with Democrats on immigration The Washington Times4hTrump wants immigration deal with Democrats -- says deportations may have been 'too tough'ZeroHedge1hTrump Endorses Amnesty, Admits Deportations "Might Be Too Tough" An Hour Before Naming Their Architect Chief Of Staff

What’s next: Trump suggested he may work with Democrats on an immigration bill next year.

He said he would repeat the Iran war and called his two years the best presidency ever.
Will Trump's administration change deportation practices with Miller as chief of staff?
What would a bipartisan immigration bill include?