Donald Trump: Mexico wall more likely a fence

Donald Trump says he would accept a fence in some places along the U.S. southern border where he had promised to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it.

President-elect Donald Trump. Picture: AP

In his first interview since his election as President-elect of the United States, he told CBS’s “60 Minutes” that he’s willing to deport or incarcerate 2 million to 3 million people in the country illegally who “are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers.”

Such a promise was directly at odds with House Speaker Paul Ryan, who told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that mass deportation is not a focus of Republicans right now. Ryan said “I think we should put people’s minds at ease” on mass deportation because the top priority is really border security.

The network released portions of Trump’s interview in advance of its broadcast on Sunday night.

• READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon to write congratulatory letter to Donald Trump

Trump campaigned on a vow to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. He also has insisted he will deport all 11 million people in the country illegally, with exceptions.

Speaking to 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl, Trump also indicted he intended to preserve parts of Obama’s Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare).

People with preexisting conditions would continue to be covered after Obamacare is repealed and replaced because, Trump said, “it happens to be one of the strongest assets.”

Trump’s campaign promises also included banning Muslims from entering the US.

Since the election, Trump’s campaign team have softened their stance on some of these promises.