President Trump suggested in a Sunday interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes that an amnesty deal with Democrats may be “doable,” reversing course from the sweeping deportation promises that defined his 2024 campaign.
At a July 2024 rally, then-candidate Trump told supporters that on his first day back in office, “We will begin the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.” Delegates at that year’s Republican National Convention waved signs reading “Mass Deportations Now.”
In the 60 Minutes interview, after reflecting on Tuesday’s election losses, Trump told Ross Douthat that his deportation policy might have gone too far. “I think it might be too tough, yeah. And a lotta people would say that it’s great. But a lotta people think it’s too tough,” Trump said.
Trump pointed to frustration from Americans who believe illegal aliens working in hotels and landscaping jobs should not have been deported, and noted others want illegal aliens who have evaded the law for “10 or 15 years” to be allowed to stay. Asked about working with Democrats on the issue, he called it “actually doable.”
The shift comes despite exit polling showing immigration enforcement was a political asset for Republicans. An NBC News exit poll found 43 percent of voters said the GOP is “better able to handle immigration” compared to 41 percent who said Democrats. Another poll found 73 percent of voters called immigration a “crucial or a major factor” in their vote, with Republicans winning that group 51 percent to 47 percent.
Democratic ad strategy suggests the party itself recognized the political risk of running against enforcement. An Axios analysis found “ICE” was the third-most featured policy topic in Democratic primary ads for 2026, but dropped to 35th among policy issues in general election ads.
What an Amnesty Deal Might Look Like
Trump has not detailed what an amnesty arrangement would include, but Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar’s DIGNIDAD Act offers a template some Republicans have already put forward. The bill would create a seven-year program for illegal aliens who entered before Dec. 31, 2020, allowing them to remain in the country. Illegal aliens with DUI or DWI convictions could stay, deportation proceedings could be halted while applications are pending, and previously deported illegal aliens could apply to return if they would have otherwise qualified.
Salazar has argued the legislation would help Republicans retain Hispanic support. Yet eight of the bill’s co-sponsors lost their races in Tuesday’s election, and Salazar’s own race remains too close to call, headed to a recount.
Salazar has also acknowledged her legislation serves as a launchpad toward eventual citizenship. Democratic figures including Beto O’Rourke and Rep. Maxwell Frost have said giving illegal aliens a path to citizenship is a priority for them.
A History Lesson From California
Republicans have been down this road before. Ronald Reagan’s 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act was sold as a one-time amnesty for roughly 3 million illegal aliens in exchange for lasting border security. George H.W. Bush carried California in 1988 — the last time a Republican presidential candidate won the state. Reagan’s amnesty did not translate into any lasting electoral advantage there.
Trump himself warned against this exact scenario in a 2013 tweet: “Amnesty is suicide for Republicans. Not one of those 12 million who broke our laws will vote Republican. Obama is laughing at @GOP.”
