Trump rejects amnesty after saying deportation policy may have been too tough
Where it stands
Trump says the deportation policy is unchanged and rejects amnesty; no issued order, detailed bill, enforcement directive or completed legal-status agreement.
Sources reviewed: Nov 10, 2026 · 1:02 AM EST
President Donald Trump said in a CBS 60 Minutes interview broadcast November 8 that his deportation policy may have been too tough and supported working out legal status for some long-term workers who have jobs and pay taxes. At a November 9 White House press conference, Trump called the deportation policy 'very strong,' said it had not changed and rejected amnesty.
He again said enforcement was focused on the 'worst of the worst,' while also acknowledging that some unauthorized immigrants have jobs, are productive and pay taxes and saying the administration was working with groups to see what happens. The later remarks narrow and complicate the earlier signal; they do not themselves change immigration law or federal enforcement policy.
The response.
Trump supplied no eligibility rules, timetable, bill text or administrative directive in either appearance. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said November 9 that Democrats had contacted him about bipartisan immigration work and that Trump encouraged those conversations, but Mullin said he and Trump had not discussed concrete policy changes. Mullin also rejected amnesty and said Congress could consider legal status for DACA recipients. CBS and Associated Press noted that the interview was recorded before Trump announced that Stephen Miller, a principal architect of the administration's hard-line immigration program, would become White House chief of staff. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer argued that Miller's promotion contradicted the suggested course correction. No public enforcement directive implementing a narrower policy was identified in the sources reviewed.
Dates & scope
Source publication: Nov 8, 2026 · 11:04 PM EST · Source update: 2026-11-09
Event or conduct: 2026-11-08.
Full chronology and review notes
CBS recorded the interview November 6, before Trump announced Stephen Miller as his next chief of staff. CBS broadcast the interview and published the transcript November 8 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Trump gave his later White House remarks November 9 at an unscheduled press conference beginning about 4:41 p.m. EST. Associated Press updated its follow-up at 4:25 p.m. EST November 9, and the Ledger reviewed the official video, complete transcript and current reporting at 1:02 a.m. EST November 10. The original November 8 publication date and article route are retained; the recording, broadcast, follow-up event, news publications and Ledger reviews occurred at different times.
This is a dated report. The source-review time records when the linked sources were checked; it is not a live update.
Coverage is non-exhaustive. Our source-review standards →
Open the original record.
- CBS News: 60 Minutes Transcript: Donald Trump, the 2026 post-midterm elections interview ↗
Primary November 8 transcript of Trump's recorded remarks on deportation policy, possible legal status and negotiations with congressional Democrats
- CBS News: Trump says his deportation policy might have been 'too tough' in 60 Minutes interview ↗
November 8 report providing enforcement context and noting that no policy change had been announced
- Associated Press, via WRAL: Trump says his deportation policy 'might have been too tough' for voters in the election ↗
Independent report confirming the remarks, lack of policy specifics and timing before Miller's promotion
- The Washington Post: Trump says his deportation policy 'might have been too tough' for voters in the election ↗
November 8 report carrying Schumer's response and contextualizing Miller's appointment
- The White House: President Trump Delivers Remarks, Nov. 9, 2026 ↗
Official video page for Trump's November 9 White House remarks, including his response that the deportation policy was unchanged and that there would be no amnesty
- Roll Call Factba.se: Donald Trump holds an impromptu news conference, November 9, 2026 ↗
Complete transcript of Trump's later remarks, preserving his statements about enforcement priorities, productive unauthorized workers, amnesty and the absence of a policy change
- Associated Press: After saying deportation policy was too tough, Trump now says it's 'very strong,' rejects 'amnesty' ↗
November 9 independent follow-up comparing Trump's two sets of remarks and carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's account of bipartisan contacts and opposition to amnesty
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