President Donald Trump insisted in a CBS "60 Minutes" interview aired Sunday that aggressive ICE raids across the US "haven't gone far enough," rejecting concerns over rights violations and violent tactics that have sparked nationwide protests. Speaking to Norah O'Donnell in his first sit-down with the network since a $16 million settlement over a 2024 Kamala Harris interview edit, the 79-year-old Republican defended the operations as essential to remove criminals and secure borders. Recorded Friday at Mar-a-Lago, Trump blamed Democratic-appointed judges for blocking progress, vowing to intensify deportations promised during his 2024 campaign. He framed the raids as a long-overdue enforcement of laws, dismissing critics while highlighting what he called an "invasion" of illegal immigrants.
O'Donnell pressed Trump on documented incidents of ICE agents tackling suspects, using tear gas in Chicago neighborhoods, and smashing car windows to make arrests—actions captured on video and condemned as excessive. Protests have erupted in Democratic cities like Los Angeles and Portland, with local leaders accusing the administration of overreach and human rights abuses. "You're okay with those tactics?" she asked, to which Trump replied: "Yeah, because you have to get the people out." He insisted targets are mostly "murderers" and gang members, though reports show families and workers also caught in the sweeps.
Since January 2025, Trump's administration has deployed thousands of ICE agents and National Guard troops in surge operations across major cities, including Los Angeles where military support continues despite lawsuits. Efforts in Chicago and Portland face federal court blocks, with officials claiming presidential overreach. Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if resistance persists, arguing local defiance endangers public safety. Over 100 judges have issued rulings against the program, citing due process violations, but the White House remains committed to mass removals.
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The interview follows Trump's legal victory over CBS parent Paramount, settled without apology for alleged deceptive editing in Harris's 2024 appearance. Amid a government shutdown, trade tensions with China, and drug cartel strikes, immigration dominates headlines. Supporters praise Trump's resolve; critics warn of humanitarian fallout and economic disruption in immigrant-reliant industries. Advocacy groups file emergency lawsuits daily, alleging unconstitutional targeting of vulnerable communities.
Trump's "not far enough" stance signals escalation ahead, testing judicial limits and public tolerance. As midterm pressures loom, the raids risk deeper national division, with viral videos of family separations fueling outrage. Whether this hardline approach strengthens his base or triggers backlash remains a pivotal question in America's ongoing immigration debate.
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