Trump Names Stephen Miller Chief of Staff After Conceding Deportations Were Too Aggressive
The president acknowledged his enforcement tactics cost Republicans key seats, yet his administration has accelerated daily arrest targets.
By Fatou Kim ·
Donald Trump admitted that his administration’s deportation strategy was too aggressive following the Republican loss of control over both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. The president made these remarks during an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, marking his first televised appearance since the vote. He stated that the harshness of the enforcement operations likely hurt the party’s chances among Latino voters who had previously supported him.
During the conversation with reporter Ross Douthat, Trump said he believed the approach was "too tough" and that it may have been excessive. He acknowledged that the removal of individuals who had lived in the United States for years and held stable jobs created dissatisfaction among the electorate. The president noted that many voters felt these residents deserved to stay because they worked and paid taxes, despite having entered the country without authorization.
The political shift occurred after Democrats regained majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate. This outcome marked a setback for Trump in regions with large Latino populations. CBS News cited an exit poll showing that 58% of voters believed the administration’s immigration actions had gone too far. This data indicated a growing resistance to the enforcement tactics that were central to the president’s second term platform.
Despite the concession, the White House moved to strengthen its leadership structure immediately after the election. On November 6, Trump appointed Stephen Miller as the new chief of cabinet, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller was a key architect of the mass deportation policy and had pushed for stricter operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. He had set a target for the agency to conduct 3,000 arrests every day during 2025.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin reinforced the administration’s commitment to the current strategy. In a social media post reported by EFE and The Washington Post, Mullin stated that deportations would continue. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis added that the government would maintain its focus on detaining and deporting undocumented migrants considered a threat to public safety.
CBS reported that U.S. officials have ruled out an immediate reduction in enforcement operations, particularly after Miller’s promotion to the top of the executive branch. The administration signaled it would keep pressing its agenda despite the change in congressional leadership. The new Democratic majority is scheduled to take control of Congress in January 2027.
Trump indicated his willingness to negotiate immigration matters with the new Democratic leadership in Congress. However, he did not announce any specific changes to the procedures for detaining or expelling migrants. The administration’s actions suggest a continuation of the current enforcement model while it prepares for legislative negotiations with the opposing party.
The president’s comments have intensified debate over the political cost of the immigration strategy. While the White House acknowledges the electoral backlash, its personnel choices and public statements point toward maintaining the pace of operations. The administration remains focused on meeting its internal targets for daily arrests as it transitions into a divided government.
