President-elect Donald Trump, in a television interview aired Sunday, revealed key elements of his agenda for the early days of his presidency. These included plans to prioritize the deportation of migrants with criminal records, consider pardons for January 6th defendants, and suggest potential legal actions against political opponents, including former Rep. Liz Cheney.
During the interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump emphasized his focus on immigration reform, stating that he would work with Democrats on protecting “Dreamers” — immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. However, he maintained his commitment to his campaign promises, which include mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship.
“We have to do something about the Dreamers,” Trump said, noting that many of them are now adults who no longer speak the language of their home countries. “I will work with the Democrats on a plan, and if we can come up with something, that’s fine, but they’ve made it very difficult.”
Trump’s stance on immigration remains tough. He reiterated his plans for mass deportations, with a focus on individuals with criminal histories. However, he also suggested that deportations could extend beyond criminals, without clarifying who else might be targeted. When asked about deporting all undocumented individuals, he responded, “I think you have to do it.”
Trump also reiterated his plan to end birthright citizenship, an issue enshrined by the 14th Amendment. He suggested he may use executive action to address the matter, although he acknowledged challenges in achieving this goal. “We’re the only country that has it,” he said, despite the fact that several dozen countries offer birthright citizenship.
Investigations and Pardons for January 6 Defendants
Trump also discussed his intentions regarding the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. He reiterated his plan to issue pardons for individuals involved in the riot, suggesting they had been treated unfairly by the justice system. “These people have been in there for years, and they’re in a filthy, disgusting place,” he said.
Trump did not commit to directing the Department of Justice to investigate members of Congress who led the investigations into his actions surrounding January 6th. However, he expressed his belief that some members, including former Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson, should face legal consequences. “For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump stated.
He also suggested that President Biden might consider preemptively pardoning those involved in the investigation, including committee members.
Cheney quickly responded to Trump’s comments, condemning his remarks as an attack on the rule of law. “Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the foundations of our republic,” she said.
Biden Investigation and Unity
When asked about investigating President Joe Biden, Trump downplayed his earlier suggestions. “I’m really looking to make our country successful. I’m not looking to go back into the past,” he said, indicating that he wouldn’t pursue a special prosecutor to investigate Biden unless new evidence arose.
Trump also aimed to project a message of unity, stating that he would make this a central theme of his inauguration. Despite this, his rhetoric has often been divisive in the past, and during the interview, he again refused to concede the 2020 election results.
Economic and Foreign Policy Plans
Trump previewed plans to impose additional tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. He argued that these nations benefit unfairly from U.S. subsidies and that the tariffs would help create a fairer economic system for the U.S. However, he admitted he could not guarantee that the tariffs would not lead to higher prices for American consumers, despite claims made during his first term.
Trump also touched on his approach to government spending, promising not to cut Social Security but aiming to improve the efficiency of entitlement programs. He said that his new initiative, led by tech figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, would target waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
In terms of foreign policy, Trump indicated that he would consider withdrawing from NATO if other member countries did not increase their defense contributions. He also suggested a reduction in U.S. aid to Ukraine, saying that it was “possible, probably, sure.”
Health and Personnel Appointments
Trump confirmed that he does not plan to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell but reiterated that his administration would focus on economic efficiency. He also defended his choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, suggesting that Kennedy could examine the safety of childhood vaccines.
Trump’s interview also touched on his medical record, with the president-elect stating that he had “no problem” releasing his health information, but added that he had previously shared letters from his personal physician.
As Trump prepares for his upcoming presidency, the first days in office are expected to be filled with aggressive actions on immigration, pardons for January 6th participants, and controversial investigations into political rivals. His leadership style, which prioritizes strong rhetoric and bold decisions, will likely continue to shape his time in office.
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