On Friday, President Trump sat down with Norah O’Donnell for a primetime 60 Minutes interview that quickly drew national attention. The wide-ranging conversation covered immigration enforcement, the government shutdown, and foreign affairs — but it was Trump’s remarks about the use of force in recent ICE raids that became the most talked-about moment.
According to 60 Minutes, the interview took place exactly one year to the day since Trump sued Paramount, alleging that 60 Minutes had deceptively edited an interview with his former opponent, Kamala Harris. Paramount settled the lawsuit, though the agreement did not include an apology or any admission of wrongdoing.
During the interview, Trump defended the recent series of aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, saying the raids “haven’t gone far enough.” His comments came after O’Donnell cited viral videos showing ICE agents tackling a young mother, deploying tear gas in a Chicago neighborhood, and smashing car windows during arrests.
When asked whether those tactics had gone too far, Trump replied, “No, I think they haven’t gone far enough because we’ve been held back by the liberal judges that were put in by Biden and by Obama.” Pressed again on whether he approved of the methods seen in those videos, he said, “Yeah, because you have to get the people out.” The remarks quickly drew sharp reactions online, with immigrant-rights advocates condemning the statement as an endorsement of excessive force, while supporters argued it reflected a tougher stance on border enforcement long promised by his administration.
Legal experts say the President’s comments could deepen tension between the executive branch and the judiciary, which has already issued multiple rulings limiting federal enforcement actions. As footage of the raids continues circulating nationwide, Trump’s defense underscores the administration’s determination to escalate immigration operations — even at the risk of renewed constitutional and moral debate.
