Trump Says Harsh Deportation Policies Hurt Republican Midterm Results
United States President Donald Trump acknowledged that his administration’s strict deportation policies were too harsh and damaged the Republican Party during the recent midterm elections, nocutnews.co.kr reported on November 9, 2026.
Midterm Backlash over Harsh Deportations
Speaking to CBS on November 8, President Trump stated that border enforcement and the removal of violent criminals earned an “A+,” but admitted that expelling undocumented immigrants with legal jobs hurt the party at the ballot box.
“You have people that are doing a great job, working in landscaping or hotels, and people think they should be allowed to stay,” Trump said, according to nocutnews.co.kr. He added that his deportation policy was too severe in those instances.
The election losses also stemmed from the war in Iran, high oil prices, and growing anti-Israel sentiment within the United States, Trump noted. While addressing the outcome, he dismissed the possibility of ordering a new military attack against Iran, stating there is no reason for such action. He also rejected the likelihood of a Democratic impeachment push after winning the congressional majority, calling such a scenario unimaginable.
Trump appoints Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff
Following the recorded interview, Trump appointed Stephen Miller, the architect of his hardline immigration policies, as the new White House chief of staff. Although he suggested he might negotiate immigration reform with Democrats in the new Congress, Miller's appointment leaves actual policy changes uncertain.
Trump also addressed potential cabinet changes, indicating that some officials could be replaced while predicting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would retain his position. On artificial intelligence, Trump emphasized the need to avoid falling behind China in the global technology race, noting that he does not oppose safety guards but prioritizes competitive speed.