In his first televised news interview since securing a second term as president in November's election, Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to pardoning those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack. The former president discussed his plans in an exclusive conversation with NBC’s Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, where he also doubled down on promises of mass deportations and tariffs, while addressing various aspects of his controversial policies.
Trump confirmed that he would act swiftly in his second term, particularly focusing on pardoning convicted Capitol rioters. He claimed that these individuals had been subjected to a "very nasty system," which he described as corrupt. Trump alluded to the pressure some of the rioters faced, particularly those who had been pressured into guilty pleas, and maintained that their lives had been destroyed. He suggested that the attack on the Capitol, which led to deaths and numerous injuries, was largely manipulated by anti-Trump elements within law enforcement.
Trump further stated that, although there might be exceptions to his pardons for certain individuals, the broader picture involved undoing what he described as a politically motivated prosecution. He also criticized President Joe Biden's recent pardon of Hunter Biden on charges related to gun ownership and tax evasion.
The former president dismissed the idea that he would instruct his second administration to arrest elected officials involved in investigations related to the Capitol attack, but he made it clear that he believed those officials should face jail time.
On the issue of tariffs, Trump stood by his previous stance of imposing tariffs on imports from the US’s major trading partners, acknowledging that it could lead to higher prices for American families. However, he remained resolute that the economic benefits would outweigh the costs.
Trump also revisited his stance on immigration, particularly his plans for mass deportations. When asked about families with mixed immigration statuses, he suggested that in order to avoid breaking up families, all members would have to be sent back to their countries of origin. Additionally, he proposed ending birthright citizenship, reaffirming his commitment to revisiting constitutional amendments on the matter.
Regarding healthcare, Trump confirmed that while he did not have a fully developed plan, he had "concepts" for a more effective system, aligning with his promise to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Throughout the interview, Trump continued to assert that he had won the 2020 election, repeating his claims of a rigged system, despite no evidence to support this. His comments regarding the Capitol attack, immigration, and economic policies are expected to shape the debate as he heads into the upcoming election cycle.
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