Trump says deportation policy was too tough, jokes about UFC boss as press secretary

President Donald Trump told reporters his deportation policy may have been “too tough”, a comment that the Guardian said appears at odds with his promotion of an immigration hardliner to chief‑of‑staff. The admission came as the White House announced the elevation of the hard‑line official.

Trump also said on Sunday that he “was only kidding” when he claimed a day earlier to have offered the White House press secretary job to Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He explained the joke, saying that if the UFC boss – a devoted fan of the president – took over the briefing room, flanked by six fighters, reporters “wouldn’t mess around with him so much”.

The remarks were made as Trump returned to the White House from his beach club in Florida and were reported by the Guardian.

Why it matters

The statements highlight a contrast between Trump’s acknowledgment of a harsh immigration policy and his promotion of a hard‑line aide, while his off‑hand joke reveals an informal tone in discussing senior staff roles.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

9 Nov 2026, 16:57 IST

Key names

Miller, Donald Trump, Trump, White House

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianDeportation policy ‘might have been too tough’, says Trump, as Miller starts chief-of-staff role – US politics live 9 Nov, 16:57

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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