Trump’s deportation policy was too tough for voters, he says after Republican losses
Immigration policy and election losses
In a CBS interview aired Sunday, Trump said the approach to deporting undocumented immigrants might have played a role in Republicans losing ground in the midterm elections. He said, “I think it was too tough,” while noting that some people considered the policy effective.
Trump said he believed an immigration agreement with Democrats in the new Congress was achievable. He did not explain what such a deal would contain.
Miller appointment and press secretary
Soon after the interview, Trump appointed Stephen Miller as his chief of staff. Miller designed the administration’s hardline deportation policy, which has faced widespread criticism as officials sought to deport millions of undocumented migrants.
Trump also said he had been joking about offering Dana White the White House press secretary job. In a Saturday social media post, he urged the UFC leader to take the position; White said he would have more to discuss after meeting Trump on Monday.
Planned summit discussions
Trump said Sunday that he expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an APEC leaders’ summit in China the following week. He said talks would include efforts to end the war in Iran and denuclearization.
Russia said in October that a first trilateral meeting of the leaders was being prepared. Trump has identified denuclearization as a focus, while a Wall Street Journal report said Putin wanted the talks to pursue peace in Ukraine. In the CBS interview, Trump said he believed a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war was close and would leave Ukraine in a “little bit different shape.” He offered no further details.
Key points
- Trump said deportation policy may have contributed to Republican losses in the midterm elections.
- He said a deal with Democrats on immigration was possible but gave no details.
- Stephen Miller, architect of the hardline deportation policy, was named chief of staff.
- Trump said planned talks with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin would address several issues, including wars and denuclearization.