OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Gov. Kevin Stitt got a lot of attention this week when he took the microphone during an interview with National Public Radio (NPR). Covers many topics from immigration to voting. He even asked “What’s the endgame?” in reference to the federal government’s recent actions on immigration.
“The president needs to tell us, ‘What’s the end result?'” Stitt said in the full NPR interview, which can be found here. “Are we really going to deport everyone in this country? Oklahomans would be very, very upset if the other foot and the Biden administration sent federal agents into Oklahoma.”
NPR’s interview was conducted during this month’s National Governors Association conference in Washington. It also took some time for KFOR’s flashpoint team to respond.
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“Honestly, I can’t believe it. I mean, I’m actually kind of surprised,” Mike Turpin said. “People talk about what Stitt will do next after eight years here, and some think he might go national.”
“I think it’s a big bet to be in the next presidential race,” Todd Lamb said.
Stitt supports voter ID requirements similar to Oklahoma’s law but opposes federal control of elections. The comments come amid multiple reports that President Donald Trump may issue an executive order that would give him sweeping control over the companies.
“My fellow Democratic governors, they’re not trying to turn them into illegals and turn them into voters,” Stitt said.
Stitt also noted that some residents voted for Trump because they wanted strong border policies, but they fear the current immigration roundups have gone too far.
“They also whispered to me that I run a construction company, I own a company that does this, I’m a farmer, I have illegal immigrants working for me and they’re like family,” Stitt said. “They’ve been here for 15 years. They go to church with us, their kids go to school. They’re great people. They’re trying to get workforce licenses, but we can’t figure it out, which is why they’re saying, ‘Governor, you need to be the governor to issue these workforce licenses so we can take action so they can pay taxes, they can be here legally, they can work.’ I’m not saying give them citizenship, but let’s fix this because it’s going to destroy different industries across the country.”
Stitt added that states should control immigration and emphasize the importance of labor, but it’s uncertain whether any movement will occur nationwide because of the current political climate.
“Immigration peace has been politicized and now it feels like Congress won’t take any action until the midterm elections,” he said.
President Trump has not yet commented on Stitt’s interview with NPR.
Freedom Cacus press release 2.26.2026 download
Stitt responded in a letter to the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus:
Oklahoma Freedom Caucus members:
I write to you as a fellow conservative, as a fellow Oklahoman, and as your governor—both to appreciate our shared values and to make clear that our paths diverge.
We agree on more than you probably know. As Governor, I used every tool at my disposal to enforce Oklahoma’s immigration laws. My Oklahoma Highway Patrol has conducted multiple successful operations under the federal 287(g) program, placing Oklahoma into the top three states in the nation for apprehending illegal immigrants with serious criminal records. I support the end of birthright citizenship and made my position clear as the matter made its way through the courts. I support E-Verify. I support ending taxpayer-funded incentives that create jobs that are filled by visa holders rather than U.S. citizens. I am proud to stand with Speaker Kyle Hilbert in our effort to end welfare for non-citizens.
On these issues we are united.
However, I must respectfully disagree with your opposition to our efforts to increase fraud scrutiny and protect election integrity. Members of your caucus are taking legal action to prevent Oklahoma from joining 47 other states in a driver’s license data sharing agreement specifically designed to enhance public safety and prevent welfare and credential fraud.
Let me give you a concrete example of why these partnerships are important. When my Highway Patrol conducted a joint operation with ICE along Interstate 40, we discovered that New York State was issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. This is unacceptable, and this is the very vulnerability that interstate data sharing aims to expose and eliminate. Without these partnerships, Oklahoma is operating blind, and the bad guys know it.
The only two states you protested that refused to join the DMV in the program were California and Illinois – and I doubt this caucus would be willing to follow suit. Your members have said the same thing publicly, and I believe Oklahoma voters deserve to know that some of their elected representatives have chosen to weaken rather than strengthen our identity infrastructure. Make no mistake: Creating such loopholes does not protect Oklahoma’s sovereignty. It introduced a federal election system, which may work for some, but not Oklahomans.
I believe in federalism. I think the state should take the lead. But leadership means working to build systems that protect citizens, not stop them. I remain committed to working with any member of this caucus on our common ground.
Respect,
Governor Kevin Stitt
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