U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration's aggressive deportation policies may have gone too far, suggesting they could have contributed to Republicans' losses in the midterm elections, which resulted in Democrats taking control of both the House and the Senate.

In his first major interview since the electoral defeat, broadcast Sunday on CBS's 60 Minutes, Trump said he believed the immigration crackdown might have been too harsh for voters.

“I think it might be too tough, yeah,” Trump said when asked whether his deportation policy had played a role in the Republican losses.

The president also expressed willingness to negotiate an immigration agreement with the incoming Democratic majority in Congress, describing a potential deal as something that could be achievable. However, he offered no specific details about what such an agreement might include.

Trump suggested that while people who commit violent crimes or are involved in drug trafficking and are living illegally in the United States should be deported, others could potentially be allowed to remain in the country.

He specifically mentioned immigrants working in landscaping companies, hotels and other businesses, including those who pay taxes, suggesting that the administration could consider a different approach toward people who contribute to the economy.

The comments come amid growing scrutiny of Trump's immigration enforcement operations, which have led to a sharp increase in arrests across multiple U.S. cities. The crackdown has also sparked protests and controversy following the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal officers during demonstrations against the operations.

Despite acknowledging that his policy may have been too aggressive, Trump recently appointed Stephen Miller, one of the main architects of his hard-line immigration agenda, as his new White House chief of staff.

The appointment prompted criticism from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who questioned the president's claim that he was considering a change in direction.

“That's not a course correction. That's a promotion,” Schumer said in a social media post.

Democrats have identified oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security as priorities for the new Congress, setting the stage for a major political debate over immigration enforcement.

Trump's remarks suggest a possible opening for negotiations, although it remains unclear whether his administration will significantly modify its deportation strategy.