After an election that left his party weaker, a president who built his return to office on a sweeping immigration crackdown has suggested, in a televised conversation, that its harshness may have been a mistake. He spoke of a deal with the Democrats now in charge of Congress, yet offered no outline of what it would hold. The same week, he elevated the man most identified with that crackdown to his inner circle, leaving observers to weigh whether the words signal a true turn or only a change of tone. Behind the question lies a familiar human fact: policies that reach into families and neighbor
Trump Says Deportation Policy 'Might Be Too Tough' as He Eyes a Deal With Democrats
Two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal officers during protests against the immigration operations.
That's not a course correction. That's a promotion.
Mark
Trump said his deportation policy might be too tough. How significant is that?
Mimi
It's notable because he tied it to why Republicans lost. But it's one interview line, not a policy change.
Luke
Right, and he said "might." Nothing in the reporting shows an actual change in enforcement.
Mark
What did he say a deal would look like?
Mimi
Deport killers and drug dealers, but possibly let others stay, like people working in landscaping or hotels, some paying taxes.
Luke
That's a sketch, not a proposal. He gave no specifics, and "doable" is his own assessment.
Mark
Then he named Stephen Miller chief of staff.
Mimi
Shortly after taping. Schumer called it a promotion, not a course correction.
Luke
That's Schumer's framing. What's confirmed is the appointment and the timing, not what Miller will do.
Mark
And the human cost?
Mimi
Two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal officers during protests. Democrats say ICE and DHS oversight is a priority.
Luke
Which means any deal faces scrutiny. Whether Democrats would bargain on Trump's terms is unknown.
Il Polso
- A president who built his return on a forceful deportation campaign now calls it possibly 'too tough,' unsettling allies who expected firmness.
- The promise of a deal with Democrats arrives without a single concrete term, leaving negotiators and advocates guessing at its shape.
- Stephen Miller's appointment as chief of staff, announced just after the interview, cuts against the softer message and sharpens suspicion of the shift.
- Democrats are preparing to scrutinize ICE and DHS oversight in the new Congress, so any compromise will be tested on how enforcement actually works.
- The deaths of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, at the hands of federal officers during protests hang over every proposal still to come.
After an election that left his party weaker, a president who built his return to office on a sweeping immigration crackdown has suggested, in a televised conversation, that its harshness may have been a mistake. He spoke of a deal with the Democrats now in charge of Congress, yet offered no outline of what it would hold. The same week, he elevated the man most identified with that crackdown to his inner circle, leaving observers to weigh whether the words signal a true turn or only a change of tone. Behind the question lies a familiar human fact: policies that reach into families and neighborhoods are judged not by what leaders say about them, but by what those policies do to the people they touch.
On CBS's 60 Minutes, President Donald Trump told interviewers that his deportation policy may have gone too far, and said it was part of the reason Republicans lost ground in the recent election. "I think it might be too tough, yeah," he said. He spoke of working out an immigration agreement with the new Democratic majority in Congress, something he called doable, but gave no details of what it would contain.
He did draw distinctions. He said those who are killers or drug dealers living in the country illegally should be removed, while suggesting others, such as people working in landscaping or hotels, or those who pay taxes, might be allowed to stay.
The interview was taped on Friday, and soon after, Trump named Stephen Miller, the architect of his hard-line immigration agenda, as chief of staff. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer mocked the move on social media, calling it a promotion rather than a course correction.
The crackdown had been central to Trump's return to office, with major operations in several cities. Protests against them ended with two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by federal officers. Democrats have made oversight of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security a priority, meaning any deal will be judged by how enforcement is carried out.
The conversation also touched on the 2028 Republican race. Trump said he would probably not necessarily endorse a successor, praised Marco Rubio, and said he may or may not get involved. The open questions now are whether the softer words lead to a real proposal, and whether Miller's rise changes how the policy is enforced.
President Donald Trump told CBS's 60 Minutes, in an interview that aired on Sunday, that his deportation policy may have gone too far. Asked about the role it played in Republicans losing, he said it was part of the reason, and added: "I think it might be too tough, yeah."
He went on to say he believes he can strike an immigration agreement with the new Democratic majority in Congress. "The deal would be we would work something out," he said, calling it "something that's actually doable." He offered no specifics about what such a deal would contain.
He did draw a line around who should be removed. Trump said "killers" and "drug dealers" in the country illegally should be deported. But he suggested openness to letting others stay, naming people "working in a landscaping company, or working in a hotel," and, in some cases, people who are "paying taxes."
The interview was taped on Friday, and shortly afterward Trump named Stephen Miller, the key architect of his hard-line immigration agenda, as his new chief of staff. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer seized on that on social media Sunday after the broadcast. "Trump says his immigration crackdown went too far," he wrote. "Apparently, his solution was to put the man responsible for it in charge of the White House. That's not a course correction. That's a promotion."
The crackdown was a defining feature of Trump's return to office. Major operations in multiple cities sent arrests soaring. During protests against those operations, two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal officers.
Democrats have said that oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security will be a priority in the new Congress. That sets the terms for any negotiation, since enforcement practices are likely to be examined alongside any change in who can stay.
The interview also touched on the Republican race to succeed Trump in 2028. Asked whether he would endorse a successor, he said, "Probably, not necessarily," and spoke of a "tremendous bench" of people he has good relationships with. Pressed on candidates beyond Vice-President JD Vance, he named only Secretary of State Marco Rubio, viewed as a possible contender. "I think Marco's great," he said, but he declined to name others, mentioning only some excellent senators. "I may or may not get involved," he said. "Maybe I'm better off not getting involved."
What to watch now is whether the softer language produces an actual proposal, and whether Miller's elevation signals any change in how the policy is carried out.
Citazioni salienti
I think it might be too tough, yeah.— Donald Trump, on 60 Minutes
That's not a course correction. That's a promotion.— Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader
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