Trump Praised his Cabinet, Calling Their Performance ‘Incredible’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump told farmers that undocumented agricultural workers may temporarily remain in the U.S. if vouched for by farm owners. While affirming deportation plans, Trump emphasized a legal return process for those who comply. The comments come amid rising concerns over labor shortages in farming communities.
Trump Softens Immigration Message for Farmers: Quick Looks
- Trump says undocumented farm workers may stay temporarily if backed by farmers.
- Comments came during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
- Trump emphasized deportation will occur but workers can reenter legally later.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed the “self-deportation” policy approach.
- Farmers face labor shortages, and Trump pledged to “take care of our farmers.”
- Trump reiterated the need for a legal process to reenter the country.
- Cabinet discussions also covered RFK and MLK assassination files, which will soon be declassified.
- Tesla vandalism crackdown was addressed, with no plea deals permitted.
- Markets plunged again Thursday, prompting Trump to admit “transition problems.”
- Trump praised his Cabinet, calling their performance “incredible” amid trade and immigration shifts.
Trump Praised his Cabinet, Calling Their Performance ‘Incredible’
Deep Look
President Donald Trump offered a conditional reprieve to undocumented farm workers Thursday, telling American farmers that some workers living in the U.S. illegally may be allowed to stay and work “for a while” if they are endorsed by their employers.
Speaking during a White House Cabinet meeting, Trump sought to reassure the agricultural industry, which has expressed concern over labor shortages exacerbated by his administration’s aggressive immigration agenda.
“We’re also going to work with farmers, that if they have strong recommendations for their farms, for certain people, we’re going to let them stay in for a while and work with the farmers,” Trump said.
While reaffirming his pledge to enforce deportation policies, Trump added that undocumented workers could later return legally through a formal process.
“Work with the farmers, and then come back and go through a process, a legal process, but we have to take care of our farmers,” he added.
The statement comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem outlined a controversial “self-deportation” initiative, designed to encourage undocumented individuals to voluntarily leave the U.S. before facing enforcement action.
Trump nodded to the plan, asking Noem to confirm: “We’re going to work with people so that if they go out in a nice way, go back to their country, we’re going to work with them right from the beginning on trying to get them back in legally. Is that right?”
Noem agreed, affirming the administration’s approach to blending immigration control with a longer-term solution for labor-intensive sectors like agriculture.
Farmers’ Concerns and Policy Fallout
Trump’s tempered message reflects the growing tension between immigration enforcement and farm labor dependency. U.S. agriculture has long relied on immigrant labor, often from undocumented workers, to meet seasonal and intensive production needs.
Many farm owners have warned that deportations without alternatives would result in crop losses, price hikes, and supply chain disruptions.
The president’s remarks suggest a temporary workaround that would allow workers to stay under employer recommendation—a balancing act between his tough immigration rhetoric and political support in rural, farm-heavy regions.
Other Highlights from the Cabinet Meeting
1. RFK and MLK Assassination Files to Be Released
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that the administration will release long-sealed government files related to the assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Gabbard said the files “have never been scanned or seen before,” and will be publicly available “within the next few days.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services, welcomed the release, saying: “Put it out – the world needs to know the truth.”
2. Crackdown on Tesla Vandalism
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that no plea negotiations will be offered to individuals accused of vandalizing Tesla vehicles or dealerships.
Trump has labeled such acts as “domestic terrorism,” and Bondi confirmed four arrests have been made.
“They’re all looking at 20 years in prison,” she said.
3. Economic Warning After Market Drop
Markets fell sharply Thursday following Wednesday’s historic rally, and Trump acknowledged “transition problems” linked to his 90-day pause on global tariffs.
“A big day yesterday. There will always be transition difficulty,” he said, before calling the current phase “a beautiful thing in the end.”
Despite recent turmoil, Trump praised his Cabinet’s efforts:
“Everyone at this table is doing an incredible job… The relationships are very strong. These meetings are very good.”
Strategic Balancing Act
Trump’s comments on immigration, trade, and enforcement reflect the challenges of balancing political optics with economic realities. While he remains firm on border enforcement and deportation policy, he is signaling flexibility in implementation, especially when key constituencies—like farmers—are impacted.
His approach aims to satisfy his base while mitigating economic fallout, but it also raises questions about policy consistency, particularly with “self-deportation” initiatives and sector-specific carve-outs.
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