Following the recent electoral victory, president-elect Donald Trump shared his plans for the presidency in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. The nation and the world stand in anticipation, questioning his intended course of action alongside his chosen Vice President, J.D. Vance. This discussion on a national platform covered a spectrum of significant issues such as abortion, immigration, trade tariffs, and his successive controversial administration choices. His stated plans concerning foreign policy were also given particular attention.
After the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court, Trump has consistently congratulated himself on this outcome. During the 2024 elections, the sensitive issue of abortion played a monumental role. Trump and Vance found themselves battling against Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, her VP nominee. Trump made it clear that he opposed the federal ban on abortion, while Harris and Walz insinuated that he would impose further restrictions on abortion rights.
Taking a look at the high-profile hush-money trial earlier this year, the president-elect plans to ponder on the potential pardoning of the Jan. 6 instigators as soon as he assumes office. Trump announced his intent to act swiftly and consider each case on its individual merit. It appears the notion of freedom for those held captive for their involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol assault, might not be far fetched.
Following rumors that Biden may contemplate preemptive pardons for political personalities possibly victimized by Trump, president-elect Trump assailed the Jan. 6 committee, Liz Cheney included. The president-elect expressed that, in view of their actions, imprisonment would be an apt consequence.
Trump vehemently defended his choice of Fox News persona, Pete Hegseth, for the role of Secretary of Defense. This selection, laden with allegations and apprehensions, elicited the president-elect’s confidence in Hegseth. ‘He’s an intelligent individual,’ Trump praised, hinting that he believes Hegseth’s confirmation by the Senate is a matter of course.
Kash Patel, a harsh critic of the FBI, was also his choice for the Director position at the FBI. When queried if he would dismiss the current FBI Director, Christopher Wray, to pave the way for Patel’s appointment, Trump was rather dissatisfied with Wray. He hinted that Patel’s role would be rather evident should he be confirmed.
Trump was questioned on his intention to direct Patel to investigate President Joe Biden. However, he responded that his focus was more on achieving success for the nation rather than revisiting the past. Even though he refused to enlist a special prosecutor to probe into Biden, he hinted at the possibility should circumstances seem fitting. He also criticised Biden’s choice to pardon his son, Hunter.
Focusing on broader health care issues, Trump expressed his ongoing disdain for Obamacare, with no elaboration on his September debate with Harris about health care reform. ‘Obamacare is inadequate,’ he said, implying that he would reveal a better solution and navigate it through necessary political channels if such a solution were formulated.
Trump proposed a comprehensive tariff on goods imported from America’s trading partners: Mexico, Canada, and China, self-assuredly saying ‘I find tariffs enchanting.’ When it was suggested that these tariffs could affect pricing for imported goods, he defended his viewpoint. On guaranteeing these tariffs would not influence standard American pricing, he confessed, ‘Nothing is certain.’
Trump plans to immediately address immigration upon his return to the Oval Office. During his campaign, he advocated various adjustments to immigration policies, including mass deportations, terminating birthright citizenship, and reestablishing the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. He expressed his intention to focus initially on the deportation of illegal migrants with a criminal background, and ultimately aim for all unlawful immigrants to be expelled.
He maintained that rules must be upheld in all circumstances, emphasizing, ‘It’s a harsh task but one that’s necessary. We have established regulations and legal boundaries.’ This statement seemed to indicate that undocumented immigrants were being unfair to others, who have been waiting their turn for years.
A report on the subject of Dreamers—children of illegal immigrants brought to America—provided an unusual angle. Trump expressed a willingness to work with Democrats regarding this matter, implying that he did not mind Dreamers remaining in the U.S. He then noted, ‘They’ve spent a great deal of their lives here, have grown into adults, and have made progress in various capacities.’ He mentioned the need to ‘do something’ with them.