Trump Admits Deportation Crackdown Was Too Tough After Midterm Losses

President Donald Trump admitted his administration's deportation crackdown was "too tough" following Republican midterm setbacks, while signaling openness to an immigration deal with Democrats in the new Congress. In a CBS News interview, Trump acknowledged his immigration policies "both helped and hurt" him electorally, saying he got "an A+ for closing up the border" but expressing confidence that an agreement with Democrats is "actually doable." He suggested allowing undocumented immigrants who work and pay taxes to remain, while still deporting "killers" and "drug dealers." The shift follows exit polls showing 58% of voters believe his immigration measures went too far, with Latino voters in battleground states like Texas abandoning Republicans. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer mocked the remarks, noting Trump appointed Stephen Miller, the policy's architect, as chief of staff—calling it "a promotion" rather than "a course correction."