Washington (AP)Donald Trump stated that he cannot guarantee that his promised tariffs on important U.S. foreign trade partners will result in lower pricing for American consumers. He also reiterated his call for the imprisonment of some government officials and political rivals who brought legal action against him.
In a comprehensive interview with NBC’s Meet the Press that aired on Sunday, the president-elect also discussed immigration, monetary policy, health care and abortion, and U.S. participation in Israel, Ukraine, and other countries.
Trump frequently combined encouraging remarks with warnings, even warning that things do change.
Here are a few of the topics discussed:
Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices
Trump said he didn’t trust economists’ predictions that higher domestic prices for consumers would result from increased costs on those imported items for American companies, despite his threats of wide trade sanctions. He did not promise that American households would not pay extra for their purchases.
Nothing is guaranteed by me. Trump seemed to be embracing the fact that import taxes usually operate once goods enter the retail market when he remarked, “I can’t guarantee tomorrow.”
This differs from Trump’s usual stance during the 2024 campaign, in which he presented his election as a certain means of reducing inflation.
During the conversation, Trump justified tariffs in general, claiming that they will increase our wealth.
He has promised that unless Mexico and Canada effectively curb illegal immigration and the flow of illegal substances like fentanyl into the United States, he will slap 25% tariffs on all goods imported from both countries on his first day in office in January. In an effort to pressure China into reducing its fentanyl manufacturing, he has also threatened to impose tariffs on the nation.
According to Trump, all he wants is a level, quick, and equitable playing field.
Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance
Despite being found guilty of 34 felonies in a New York state court and facing indictments in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and attempts to reverse his 2020 defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, he made contradictory remarks about how he would handle the legal system after winning the election.
Regarding the members of Congress who looked into the Capitol riot by his fans who wanted him to stay in power, Trump remarked, “Honestly, they should go to jail.”
On January 6, 2021, the president-elect reaffirmed his claim that he can use the legal system to target others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who spearheaded the investigation into Trump’s involvement in the siege. Trump stated that on his first day in office, he would pardon supporters who were found guilty of their involvement in the incident.
Regarding the notion that any prosecutions are motivated by retaliation, Trump stated: “I have the absolute right.” You are aware that I am the top law enforcement official. The president is me. However, I have no interest in that.
Meanwhile, Trump cited former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., as members of a special House committee that had looked into the rebellion.
Trump claimed that Cheney, Bennie Thompson, and every member of that committee were responsible.
When asked directly if he would order his administration to pursue cases, he replied in the negative and implied that he did not anticipate the FBI looking into his political rivals right away.
However, Trump then stated that he would let his choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, handle the situation. He said, “I want her to do what she wants to do.”
Regardless of Trump’s contradictions, many prominent Democrats have taken these threats seriously enough that Biden is thinking of granting general, preemptive pardons to shield important members of his departing administration.
With the statement, “I’m not looking to go back into the past,” Trump appeared to rescind his campaign rhetoric demanding that Biden be looked into.
Swift action on immigration is coming
Trump made repeated claims that he would seal the border between the United States and Mexico and implement a mass deportation campaign that would result in the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants.
“I believe you must do it,” he said.
Although such safeguards are outlined in the Constitution, he indicated that he would attempt to use executive action to terminate birthright citizenship, which grants citizens to those born in the United States.
Trump added, “I want to work something out,” hinting that he could try to find a solution with Congress when asked directly about the future of those who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been protected from deportation in recent years.
However, Trump also stated that he does not want to split up mixed-status families, thus the only way to avoid doing so is to keep the family intact and send everyone back.
Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine
Trump, who has often criticized NATO countries for not investing enough in their own security, declared that he would definitely stay in the alliance as long as they paid their bills.
When asked if he would leave if he wasn’t happy with his partners’ pledges, Trump stated that he wants the United States to be treated fairly in both commerce and defense.
He rambled on about containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin being a NATO goal.
In order to defend itself against Putin’s invasion, Trump advised Ukraine to brace for a reduction in U.S. assistance. Maybe. Yes, most likely. Yes, Trump mentioned cutting back on Washington’s aid to Ukraine. Trump has also demanded a swift cease-fire.
When questioned about Putin, Trump first stated that he hasn’t spoken to the Russian leader since last month’s election day, but he later clarified, saying, “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” When asked, Trump stated that he didn’t want to obstruct the negotiations.
Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI
The president-elect stated that he does not now intend to request that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell resign before Powell’s tenure expires in 2028. Presidents should have more control over Fed policy, including interest rates, Trump stated during the campaign.
FBI Director Christopher Wray’s tenure expires in 2027, and Trump made no promises about his position.
Trump responded to a question about Wray by saying: “Well, it would seem pretty obvious that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump’s pick for FBI chief, then he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right?” The man you are referring to is someone.
Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance
Trump pledged that Social Security would not be threatened by the government efficiency initiative spearheaded by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk. “Aside from making it more efficient, we aren’t affecting Social Security,” he stated. We’re not raising ages or anything like that, he continued.
Regarding abortion and his long-promised reform of the Affordable Care Act, he was less precise.
The Guttmacher Institute, which advocates for abortion rights, claims that Trump will likely not take action to limit access to the abortion pills that currently account for the majority of pregnancy terminations, continuing his inconsistent stance on the topic. Trump responded, “Well, I commit,” when asked if he would stick to that stance. I mean, things do change, are they? They seem to alter.
Trump reiterated a statement from his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10th, claiming to have ideas for a plan to replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he referred to as “bad health care.”
He also pledged that Americans with prior medical issues will continue to have insurance protections under any Trump administration. He didn’t elaborate on how his plan would vary from the current one or how he would fulfill his goal of providing better healthcare at a lower cost.
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