President Donald Trump admitted in a recent television interview that his administration's immigration deportation policy was "too tough" following the Republicans' midterm election defeat. Speaking to 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat on Sunday, the president expressed openness to an arrangement allowing certain long-term undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States.
The president's remarks marked a notable shift regarding one of the defining pillars of his second administration. During the interview, he acknowledged that while the public gave him high marks for closing the border and removing criminals, the strict enforcement measures also impacted individuals who had integrated into society with good jobs.
Immigration Deal and Deportation Strategy
Donald Trump suggested that reaching an agreement with Democrats to address the legal status of long-term undocumented residents is achievable. He proposed that individuals who have lived in the country for 10 or 15 years could be permitted to stay under a negotiated deal, while immigration authorities would continue targeting serious offenders such as killers, rapists, and drug dealers.
Since Donald Trump returned to office, aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in workplaces, homes, and public spaces have ensnared individuals with no criminal records and separated families. Federal agents also fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during operations in Minneapolis earlier in the year.
Despite expressing willingness to compromise, the president recently elevated Stephen Miller, the architect of his strict immigration crackdown, to the position of White House chief of staff. Trump claimed that some Democrats had already contacted him regarding a potential bipartisan framework.
Midterm Defeat Factors and Foreign Policy
Beyond immigration, the president pointed to broader political headwinds that contributed to the Republicans' midterm losses. Donald Trump agreed with an assessment by Vice-President JD Vance that the war with Iran and resulting higher petrol prices were major factors in the defeat.
Key facts from the interview include:
* Donald Trump admitted his deportation policy was "too tough" in a 60 Minutes interview with Ross Douthat.
* The president proposed a deal allowing undocumented residents of 10 to 15 years to stay while targeting serious criminals.
* JD Vance and Trump both cited the war with Iran and higher petrol prices as contributors to midterm losses.
* Trump defended his military campaign against Iran, stating he would make the same decision again to prevent a nuclear weapon.
* The president defended his administration's economic messaging while facing questions about a reported increase in personal wealth.
Wealth Growth and Political Succession
The interview also touched on financial scrutiny surrounding the president's growing fortune. Ross Douthat cited a Forbes estimate that Trump's net worth increased by $3bn between the autumn of 2024 and the autumn of 2025. Dan Alexander, a senior editor at Forbes, challenged the president's attribution of the gains solely to the stock market, pointing to cryptocurrency ventures, overseas licensing agreements, and the removal of a financial penalty in a New York civil fraud case.
Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election, Trump discussed the Republican party's potential candidates. He praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio while declining to rule out other contenders, and stated he has not yet decided whether he will endorse a successor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Donald Trump say about his deportation policy on 60 Minutes?
Trump admitted that the aggressive deportation policy was "too tough" and stated that it had hurt him politically by sweeping up individuals with good jobs who had only committed a single violation of entering the country illegally.
Who conducted the 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump?
The interview was conducted by 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat on the CBS network.
What did Trump propose regarding long-term undocumented immigrants?
Trump proposed working out a deal with Democrats that would allow individuals who have lived in the U.S. for 10 or 15 years to stay, while continuing to remove serious criminals such as killers, rapists, and drug dealers.