Trump Calls Deportation Policy Too Tough After Midterms Blowout

Trump admitted his harsh deportation stance was too tough and hurt Republicans in the midterms.

President Donald Trump acknowledged in a television interview that his strict immigration crackdown and mass deportations were overly harsh and hurt Republican performance in the midterms. Following heavy electoral losses, the president signaled a new willingness to negotiate a bipartisan immigration agreement with congressional Democrats.

• The backgroundThe comments follow significant Republican setbacks during the midterm congressional elections.
• The reactionTrump also blamed the Iran war and poor economic messaging for alienating voters at the ballot box.
• The prospectThe president floated the possibility of working across the aisle with Democratic lawmakers on immigration reform.