Trump links midterm losses to aggressive deportation policy

US President Donald Trump acknowledged that his administration's immigration crackdown could have been excessively severe, contributing to Republican defeats in the midterm elections. Speaking in a television interview, he conceded that the tough measures may have affected the party's electoral performance.

The administration previously carried out major immigration operations in multiple cities, leading to a significant rise in arrests. During protests against these actions, federal officers were responsible for the deaths of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

While maintaining that unlawfully resident criminals should face deportation, Trump suggested that hardworking tax-paying immigrants in sectors like landscaping and hotels could potentially stay through an agreement. However, he did not specify the terms of any potential deal and subsequently appointed Stephen Miller, a primary designer of the strict immigration rules, as his new White House chief of staff.

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the appointment, questioning the administration's stated shift in position. Meanwhile, Democrats captured control of both the House and Senate after victories across multiple states, dealing a major setback to the administration and threatening to restrict its legislative agenda.