On December 8 local time, President-elect Trump sent a strong signal detailing the comprehensive reforms he will implement after taking office.
These remarks were made by Trump during an NBC program (with news dialogue) recorded last Friday, marking his first television interview since winning the U.S. election in November. The entire interview took place at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where Trump discussed the policy plans that the American people could expect. The interview lasted over an hour.
1. No plans to replace the Federal Reserve Chairman.
In the interview transcript released on Sunday, Trump responded to questions about Powell's refusal to resign upon request. Although Powell was appointed by Trump, during his first term, Trump had attempted to dismiss him due to multiple interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
Trump stated that he has no plans to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell upon returning to the White House, saying, 'I don’t think so.'
Trump stated, 'I think if I asked him to resign, he would resign, but if I just asked him, he might not resign.'
In the days following the election, Powell clearly stated that he was prepared to defend the Federal Reserve against political pressure. He told reporters that even if Trump asked him to resign, he would not step down and insisted that the new president had no authority to fire him or other senior leaders of the Federal Reserve.
Trump had previously stated that he believed he should have a say in monetary policy and interest rate settings, saying, 'I don’t think I should have the authority to give orders, but I believe I have the right to express an opinion on whether interest rates should be raised or lowered.'
Trump also mocked the role of the Federal Reserve Chairman as 'the best job in government,' saying, 'You go to the office once a month and say, 'Let's see, let's flip a coin to decide.'
Powell himself stated that he does not believe the incoming new administration will have a tense relationship with him.
2. Trump will grant clemency to those charged in the Capitol riot.
Trump stated that he will exercise his power on the 'first day' of his presidency to grant clemency to the rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump stated, 'I will act very quickly to review all cases. We will examine them on a case-by-case basis.'
Trump's remarks came after current President Joe Biden decided to pardon his son Hunter Biden. Biden's decision overturned his previous commitment not to use executive power to assist his son.
Trump said on the NBC program, 'Things will change. I think things will change. I don’t want to go on a show like Joe Biden and say I will never pardon my son. Never in any circumstances. I watched him say that, but I always knew he would eventually pardon, so things will indeed change. But I don't think there will be any changes.'
3. Tariff issues.
Trump stated that he would fulfill his campaign promise to impose tariffs on imports from America's largest trading partners. At a notable moment, when the host asked if he could 'guarantee that American families would not pay more as a result,' Trump acknowledged uncertainty.
Trump said, "I cannot guarantee anything, I can't even guarantee tomorrow."
4. Immigration issues.
Immigration is one of the central issues of Trump's campaign, and he stated without hesitation that he would implement mass deportations of illegal residents.
Trump stated that the first to be deported would be those with criminal records. When asked if he would expand the target range, Trump added, 'Well, I think you have to do that; it's tough—it's a very difficult decision. But you have to adhere to rules, regulations, and laws. They entered illegally.'
He acknowledged that some American citizens might be caught up in deportation actions because they live with family members who are in the country illegally, or might choose to leave together.
When asked about families with mixed immigration status (some members legally residing while others are illegal), Trump said, 'I don’t want to separate families, so the only way to keep families together is to send them all back.'
He stated that the high costs and complex logistics of mass deportation actions would not deter him.
"Dreamers" may become an exception—these are people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children and have lived here for many years. Trump stated that he is open to a legislative solution that would allow them to stay in the U.S.
He said, "I will work with the Democrats to come up with a plan, and we must find a solution for them." Trump praised those 'Dreamers' who find good jobs, start businesses, and become successful residents.
Trump also stated plans to end birthright citizenship, a right protected by the 14th Amendment (of the Constitution), which grants citizenship protection to anyone born in the U.S. regardless of their parents' status. When asked about the legal challenges that might arise from unilaterally revoking this right, Trump stated that he would consider amending the Constitution.
5. Russia and Ukraine.
After the interview on Friday, Trump flew to Paris to attend the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was damaged by fire.
Upon arrival, he held private meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky posted on social media that the three discussed how to achieve 'just peace' in the war between Ukraine and Russia. According to officials from Trump's transition team, Zelensky participated in the last approximately 10 minutes of the meeting.
During an interview on the (with news dialogue) program, Trump stated that he is actively trying to end the war, 'if I can do it,' and added that Ukraine 'might' not expect to receive as much military aid from the U.S. when he is back in office.
In addition, Trump did not commit to maintaining the U.S.'s position in NATO unless 'they can pay the bill.'
