Trump Reaffirms Hard-Line Policies in First Post-Election Interview
In a recent televised interview, Donald Trump reaffirmed his hard-line campaign roles just weeks ahead of his inauguration, pledging to implement trade tariffs, pursue mass deportations, and hinting at a potential U.S. exit from NATO. This marked Trump’s first formal television appearance since winning the election against Vice President Kamala Harris, airing on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.”
During the interview, which was recorded prior to Trump’s meetings with French and Ukrainian leaders over the weekend, he indicated a likelihood of reducing U.S. support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. He mentioned plans to swiftly review potential pardons for those jailed for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot following his 2020 electoral defeat.
Trump expressed his disdain for NATO, emphasizing that the U.S. may withdraw if allies do not contribute their fair share to mutual defense. “If they’re paying their bills, and if I think they’re treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely I’d stay with NATO,” he stated, noting, however, that a departure remains a real possibility.
Reiterating his commitment to implementing hefty tariffs on key trading partners including Canada, Mexico, and China, Trump claimed that the U.S. is subsidizing these nations and that tariffs could be employed not only for economic reasons but also to achieve broader objectives. While he acknowledged that such tariffs could lead to increased prices in the U.S., he offered no guarantees regarding their economic impact.
On immigration, Trump laid out plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, describing the task as “very tough” but necessary. He criticized the constitutional right to citizenship for those born in the U.S., threatening to abolish it, yet offered a concession regarding “dreamers”—undocumented individuals who arrived in the country as children—stating he would seek cooperation with Democrats concerning their status.
Trump made a controversial assertion that U.S. citizens with illegal immigrant family members could face deportation, framing it as the only way to avoid separating families. “The only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together, and you have to send them all back,” he declared.
Addressing his past impeachment and ongoing legal challenges, Trump reiterated his refusal to acknowledge his defeat in the 2020 election, challenging, “No, why would I do that?” He advocated for the prosecution of lawmakers who investigated his actions surrounding the January 6 insurrection, asserting that officials could pursue cases against those he labels dishonest or corrupt.
Although he claimed that he has the authority to target political adversaries as the president, Trump emphasized that his focus would instead be on promoting economic growth and managing illegal immigration as a means of achieving retribution through success, rather than through direct prosecutions.
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