Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and ally of Donald Trump, expressed confidence that the president-elect would unite the country while standing firm on Trump’s controversial immigration policies, including mass deportations.
In an interview with ABC’s This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl, Ramaswamy encouraged Democrats to give Trump a fair chance once he takes office and resist portraying him as a threat to democracy.
“What you’re hearing from Donald Trump is that he wants to be a president for all Americans,” Ramaswamy said. He recalled that during Trump’s first term, despite calls for Hillary Clinton’s prosecution, Trump chose not to pursue legal action against her. Ramaswamy argued that Trump remains focused on improving the lives of Americans, urging Democrats—especially those who didn’t vote for him—to allow him the opportunity to deliver on his promises.
He also dismissed the intense rhetoric against Trump, including comparisons to Hitler. “It’s time to move past the drama,” Ramaswamy said, adding, “Success is about uniting people, and nothing unites a country like economic growth.”
Ramaswamy, who briefly ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, ended his campaign after the Iowa caucuses and subsequently endorsed the former president.
During the interview, Ramaswamy defended Trump’s plan for mass deportations, predicting that strict enforcement would lead to many undocumented immigrants leaving the U.S. voluntarily. “Trump’s promise is the largest mass deportation in American history, and he will keep that promise,” he stated. He emphasized that no taxpayer dollars should be spent on supporting undocumented immigrants, including in sanctuary cities or through federal assistance.
When asked about the fate of “Dreamers”—immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children—Ramaswamy did not provide a clear stance. The Trump administration previously tried to end the Obama-era program that protected these immigrants. Ramaswamy, however, reiterated his belief that anyone who entered the country illegally should be removed. “If your first act of entering this country was breaking the law, you shouldn’t be allowed to stay,” he said. He further argued that immigration should be restricted to those who benefit the country.
As a strong supporter of Trump, Ramaswamy is seen as a potential member of the incoming administration, though he did not specify any particular role he might pursue. “There are several great opportunities on the table,” he said. “I want to have the biggest impact possible. We’re discussing it behind the scenes.”
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