President Donald Trump has opened the door to working with Democrats on immigration and taxes after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections, naming the two issues — along with economic development — as areas where the parties could cooperate with the incoming Democratic-led Congress.
Speaking to reporters during an evening airport gaggle in Florida on Friday, Trump was asked which Democratic initiatives he might support. "I think a lot. I mean, I said before, immigration's one, tax cuts, or maybe certain things having to do with taxes to make it more convenient and better," he said. "A lot of economic development initiatives we can do. I think we can do a lot of things together."
For all the warmth of the offer, Trump set out no immigration changes or tax measures he would actually support. He did not endorse any particular Democratic bill, offered no legislative timetable, and made no specific pledge on H-1B visas, employment-based green cards or other provisions affecting immigrants and their families.
Trump also said some newly elected officials had expressed interest in working with his administration on issues affecting their states, mentioning Texas and South Carolina, though he did not identify the officials or announce any meetings. The November 3 midterm elections determined the membership of the next Congress, which takes office in January.
The signals from the administration have been mixed. In an election-night interview with Fox News, Trump said, "We can work with them on immigration, I think," and told Politico he would consider an immigration agreement, saying, "I'd consider doing whatever I think is appropriate and good for the country." Vice President JD Vance wrote on X on Wednesday that he was open to changing enforcement to focus more on businesses that hire unauthorized workers — but added that anyone pushing amnesty "is lying to you." The White House said Wednesday that the administration "will never allow for mass amnesty."
Trump's outreach came on the same day he named Stephen Miller, the architect of his immigration crackdown, as his next White House chief of staff. Miller, 41, takes over from Susie Wiles on Monday, November 9.
