In his first sit-down interview since securing a second term in the White House, President-elect Donald Trump provided insight into his priorities and decisions as he prepares to take office. Speaking with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, Trump addressed issues ranging from potential prosecutions of political rivals to sweeping immigration reforms, controversial Cabinet nominations, and economic policies.
Here are five key takeaways from the interview:
1. Questions About Political Retribution
Trump faced inquiries about whether he would use the Justice Department to target his critics, a topic that has raised concerns about politicization under his administration. While the president-elect refrained from explicitly committing to such actions, he left the door open for his appointees to pursue investigations if warranted.
Trump reiterated his criticisms of special counsel Jack Smith and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), suggesting legal actions against them could be justified. However, he emphasized that decisions on prosecutions would rest with his nominees, including Pam Bondi as attorney general and Kash Patel as FBI director.
“I’m not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable,” Trump said. “That’s going to be Pam Bondi’s decision.”
Trump also downplayed the likelihood of targeting President Joe Biden, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past. I’m looking to make our country successful.”
2. Immigration Crackdown
Trump doubled down on his pledge to overhaul the immigration system, promising to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, including families with mixed immigration status. He confirmed plans to end birthright citizenship, despite anticipated legal challenges, and emphasized a commitment to finding solutions for Dreamers—those brought to the U.S. as children.
“The Dreamers are going to come later,” Trump said. “We have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age.”
3. Day-One Priorities and Policy Vision
Trump outlined his immediate and long-term goals, highlighting several contentious policies:
Pardons for Jan. 6 Participants: Trump stated he would act swiftly to pardon individuals involved in the Capitol riot, including those who pleaded guilty.
Energy Expansion: He repeated his “drill, baby, drill” mantra, signaling plans to expand domestic oil drilling.
Healthcare and Economic Policies: Trump expressed openness to replacing ObamaCare if a better option emerges, avoided raising Social Security or Medicare age requirements, and criticized the federal minimum wage as inadequate.
NATO Contributions: He suggested reevaluating U.S. involvement in NATO if other members do not increase their defense spending.
4. Tariffs and Economic Strategy
Trump defended his proposal for blanket tariffs on imports, despite warnings from economists about potential cost increases for American consumers. He argued that tariffs would incentivize businesses to operate domestically and serve as a powerful negotiating tool.
“Tariffs, properly used, are a very powerful tool,” Trump said. However, he declined to guarantee that American families would not face higher costs as a result of the policy.
5. Support for Controversial Cabinet Picks
Trump stood by his controversial Cabinet choices, brushing aside concerns about their qualifications and past behavior:
Kash Patel for FBI Director: Trump voiced confidence in Patel, known for his criticism of Democrats and media, to handle the role.
Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense: Despite allegations of misconduct, Trump praised Hegseth as a “military guy” committed to the armed forces.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services: A polarizing figure due to his antivaccine stance, Kennedy has Trump’s support to investigate potential vaccine risks and tackle broader public health challenges.
“He’s not looking to reinvent the wheel totally,” Trump said of Kennedy. “But when you look at the numbers, we really don’t have a very healthy country.”
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