US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown may have hurt the Republican Party in the midterm elections, admitting that some deportation measures may have gone too far.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, which aired on Sunday, November 8, in his first major television interview following the Republican Party’s significant electoral setbacks.

Speaking with correspondent Ross Douthat, Trump was asked whether his administration’s strict immigration enforcement policies had contributed to the party’s poor performance at the polls.

“I think it both helped and hurt,” Trump responded, maintaining that his administration deserved strong marks for securing the US-Mexico border and removing individuals he described as dangerous.

However, he acknowledged that the deportation campaign also affected undocumented immigrants who had established jobs and livelihoods in the United States.

Trump explained that some people who had lived and worked in the country for years were deported because they entered the United States illegally, despite contributing to businesses and paying taxes.

He noted that Americans remained divided over whether undocumented immigrants who had established stable lives and were working in sectors such as hospitality and landscaping should be deported or allowed to remain.

Asked directly whether his deportation strategy had gone too far, Trump replied that he believed the approach might have been too tough.

“I think it was too tough. A lot of people would say that it’s great, but a lot of people think it’s too tough,” he said, adding that the policy ultimately hurt him politically.

The president also expressed interest in working with congressional Democrats on immigration reform, suggesting that an agreement could be possible between lawmakers who support strict border enforcement and those advocating more consideration for undocumented immigrants.

The admission comes amid growing political scrutiny of the administration’s immigration policies following Republican losses across several parts of the country.

According to CBS News’ reporting on the election, exit polling indicated that 58 per cent of voters believed the administration’s immigration actions had gone too far. Latino voters in several key areas, including parts of Texas, also shifted towards Democratic candidates.

The election outcome has renewed debate within Republican circles about the political consequences of Trump’s deportation strategy and whether the administration needs to reconsider aspects of its enforcement approach.

Nevertheless, Trump’s comments did not amount to an announcement of a policy reversal. His administration has continued to defend its border security and deportation agenda.

The president’s remarks could, however, open a new chapter in the debate over immigration enforcement, economic contributions, border security and the future direction of Republican politics.

Donald Trump admits his administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown may have hurt Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections, saying deportation policies may have been too tough.