Trump Allies Scramble to Keep Mass Deportation Promise

GOP group forms to pressure White House to maintain hardline immigration stance despite public backlash.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:03pm

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A team of Donald Trump allies has formed a lobbying group called the 'Mass Deportation Coalition' to try to convince the administration to continue with its plans for a 'largest mass deportation program' in U.S. history, despite signs the White House is looking to soften its messaging around the issue due to public backlash.

Why it matters

Trump's hardline immigration policies, including mass deportations, were a key part of his 2024 campaign platform and a major driver of support from his base. However, the aggressive tactics of federal immigration agents have faced intense scrutiny, and polls show the public is largely against the administration's deportation plans, raising concerns about the political fallout heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

The details

The Mass Deportation Coalition, which includes former Trump officials like ex-CBP head Mark Morgan and Blackwater founder Erik Prince, is pushing back against White House guidance to GOP lawmakers to tone down their rhetoric around deportations and focus only on removing 'violent/criminal illegals.' The group hopes a new poll showing majority support for mass deportations can convince the administration to maintain its hardline stance. However, other surveys have found most Americans believe Trump's deportation campaign is too aggressive.

  • On March 12, 2026, Politico reported on the formation of the Mass Deportation Coalition.
  • Earlier this week, White House deputy chief of staff James Blair told House Republicans to soften their messaging about removing undocumented migrants.

The players

Mass Deportation Coalition

A lobbying group formed by Donald Trump allies to pressure the administration to continue with its plans for a 'largest mass deportation program' in U.S. history.

Mark Morgan

The former acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection under Trump, and a member of the Mass Deportation Coalition.

Erik Prince

The former CEO of Blackwater, and a member of the Mass Deportation Coalition.

James Blair

The White House deputy chief of staff who told House Republicans to soften their messaging around deportations.

Chris Chmielenski

The president of the conservative Immigration Accountability Project, who believes mass deportation is a way to 're-energize the base' for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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What they’re saying

“Overwhelmingly, Trump voters expect this from the administration. They don't just support it—they expect it. This is a good way to re-energize the base as we move into the midterms, the same way that Trump was able to do so in the lead-up to the 2024 general election.”

— Chris Chmielenski, President, Immigration Accountability Project (Politico)

“President Trump's highest priority has always been the deportation of illegal alien criminals who endanger American communities.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson (Politico)

What’s next

The Mass Deportation Coalition hopes a poll showing majority support for mass deportations can convince the White House to maintain its hardline stance on the issue.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's aggressive deportation plans have faced growing public backlash, with polls showing most Americans believe the approach is too extreme. However, the president's staunchest allies are pushing to keep the mass deportation promise at the center of the GOP's agenda, raising concerns about the political fallout heading into the 2026 midterms.