Trump concedes his immigration policy was 'too tough' for voters

United States President Donald Trump has said his immigration policy may have seemed too tough to voters. He conceded that his controversial deportation drive had damaged his Republican Party's performance in last week's midterm elections.

It was his first television interview since his party lost control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate last week. He said this in an interview on CBS's 60 Minutes programme, which aired on Sunday.

In the interview, Trump said, 'I think it might be too tough.' He said some voters were unhappy with his administration's controversial deportation drive, which led to widespread protests.

Trump said he may be able to work with the new Democratic-controlled Congress on some kind of immigration agreement. 'The deal would be we would work something out,' he said, adding, 'I think that's something that's actually doable.'

Before the interview aired, he appointed Stephen Miller, the chief architect of his hardline immigration policy, to replace Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff. That has prompted questions about the direction of his immigration policy.

In a post on X, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer wrote, 'Trump says his immigration crackdown went too far.' He added, '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.'

During his campaign to return to office, Trump had promised an immigration crackdown, and his administration stepped up the deportation drive after he returned to power.

But the report said questions have been raised about where his immigration policy will go next, following his admission in the interview and Miller's appointment at the same time.