Steve Bannon warns Republicans risk 'civil war' over migrants

Steve Bannon has warned Republicans face a "civil war" over Donald Trump’s changes to the DACA program.

In an interview with the CBS program 60 Minutes, Bannon predicted Republicans could lose control in the House of Representatives in the 2018 congressional elections because of a looming battle over what to do about 800,000 immigrants known as “Dreamers,” reports Reuters.

The migrants were brought illegally to the United States as children. Republicans are divided over the Dreamers. Some believe they are illegal immigrants who are taking American jobs, while others say they contribute to the country and deserve compassion.

Bannon, whose far-right views on immigration, climate and trade helped shape Trump’s presidential campaign and his first months in office, was fired by the Republican president last month in a push to end factional fights within the White House.

Bannon supported ending the program, which had been put in place by Democratic former president Barack Obama.

Trump gave the Republican-controlled Congress six months to come up with an alternative, saying he would “revisit this issue” if lawmakers could not agree.

"I'm worried about losing the House now because of this," Bannon told CBS, his first interview since leaving the White House.

"If this goes all the way down to its logical conclusion, in February and March it will be a civil war inside the Republican Party,"; he said.

"And to me, doing that in the springboard of primary season for 2018 is extremely unwise."

Bannon also blasted Catholic opposition to Trump's changes to the DACA program, saying: "they need illegal aliens to fill their churches".

Bannon, himself a practicing Catholic, did not hold back discussing the administration's move, which could see young immigrants who entered the US illegally booted out of the country.

"The bishops have been terrible about this," Bannon said, going on to tell Rose that the opposition was really about falling church attendances.

"You know why? Because unable to really to come to grips with the problems in the church, they need illegal aliens, they need illegal aliens to fill the churches."

Bannon continued to lash the church saying it needed illegal migrants for financial support.

"They have — they have an economic interest. They have an economic interest in unlimited immigration, unlimited illegal immigration,” he said.

Bannon, who said he left the White House on his own terms, lashed out against “establishment” Republicans who have at times grappled with Trump, a real estate celebrity who had never before held elected office.

“The Republican establishment is trying to nullify the 2016 election,” Bannon said, saying it was an “open secret on Capitol Hill” that many Republicans did not support Trump’s agenda, and singling out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan for criticism.

Bannon also talkdc extensively about Trump's controversial "Grab 'em by the pussy" Access Hollywood tape, which almost derailed his bid for the US presidency last year.

The tape, obtained by the Washington Post, just weeks before election day shows Trump chatting to TV journalist Billy Bush about his unsuccessful attempts to have sex with an unnamed woman.

I did try and f--- her. She was married,” Trump says in audio footage.

The future president is also heard bragging about making unwanted advances on women.

His remarks were roundly criticised by senior Democrats and Republicans, including supporter New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Bannon tells Rose that failure to support Trump through the scandal cost him a Cabinet position.

"Christie, because of Billy Bush weekend, was not looked at for a Cabinet position," Bannon said.

The former White House aide continued, "I told him the plane leaves at 11 o' clock in the morning. If you make the plane, you make the team. He didn't make the plane."