President Donald Trump told CBS News correspondent Ross Douthat that his administration’s strict immigration enforcement “might have been too tough.” The interview, the first sit‑down since the recent midterm elections, came as Republicans faced losses in traditionally strong states such as Texas.
Balancing security and compassion
When asked whether the hard‑line approach on illegal immigration contributed to Republican setbacks, Trump replied, “I think it both helped and hurt. I think I got an A‑plus for closing up the border… I get very high marks for getting the bad ones out.” He added that the United States admitted roughly 25 million people during the previous administration, many of whom he characterized as coming from prisons, drug‑dealing backgrounds, or mental institutions.
Trump also recognized that a sizable portion of illegal immigrants are “good” people who work in landscaping, hotels, and other jobs while paying taxes. “There’s a large part of the country that thinks they should be put out, and there’s a large part that thinks they should be allowed to stay if they’re good people working and paying taxes,” he said.
Admission of overreach
When pressed on whether his deportation policy went too far, the president conceded, “I think it was — too tough… I think it might be too tough, yeah,” and noted that this perception may have hurt his political standing.
Despite the admission, Trump emphasized that a pragmatic immigration agreement with the incoming Democratic Congress is possible. He suggested that moderate lawmakers, rather than the extremes on either side, could work together to secure the border while allowing law‑abiding workers to remain.
Democratic willingness to cooperate
Trump cited incoming Texas Senator‑elect James Talarico as an example of a Democrat willing to collaborate on border enforcement, underscoring his belief that bipartisan solutions are achievable.
In a Fox News poll of more than 100,000 registered voters conducted from Oct. 19 to Nov. 3, 2026, immigration was the only issue where Republicans led Democrats, indicating that the president’s core message on border security still resonates with a broad swath of the electorate.
Implications for the Trump administration
The president’s nuanced stance reflects a strategic shift: maintaining a strong border while acknowledging the economic contributions of many illegal immigrants. By signaling openness to a bipartisan deal, the administration aims to soften criticism from moderate voters without abandoning its core immigration‑enforcement agenda.
As the new Democratic Congress prepares to take office, the prospect of cooperation on immigration could shape legislative priorities in the coming months, offering a potential path forward for a nation still divided over how best to secure its borders while honoring the contributions of hardworking individuals.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
