President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to consider pardons for those involved in the 2021 US Capitol riot on his first day back in office next month.
In his first broadcast interview since November’s election, Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press, “These people are living in hell.” The Republican also vowed to end automatic citizenship for anyone born in the US, but expressed willingness to work with Democrats on aiding undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.
In the wide-ranging interview, recorded Friday, Trump said he would sign numerous executive orders on issues like immigration, energy, and the economy after his inauguration on January 20. He suggested he wouldn’t seek a justice department investigation into Joe Biden but argued some lawmakers who investigated the Capitol riot should be jailed.
When asked about pardoning hundreds convicted for their roles in the January 6th riot, Trump said, “We’ll look at individual cases… acting very quickly, first day.” He criticized the conditions at the detention facility holding the rioters, calling it “filthy” and “disgusting.”
Trump also discussed NATO, stating he’d stay in the alliance if member nations pay their bills and treat the US fairly. He said he wouldn’t impose restrictions on abortion pills, but added, “things change.” He suggested that Ukraine might expect less aid when he returns to the White House.
Trump also said someone should investigate a potential link between autism and childhood vaccines, an idea dismissed by many studies. He mentioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been skeptical of vaccines, as his likely health secretary pick.
He reiterated his promise not to cut Social Security or raise its eligibility age but said he would work to make it “more efficient.” On tariffs, Trump acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, “I can’t guarantee anything.”
Regarding immigration, Trump vowed to end birthright citizenship, which is based on the 14th Amendment. “We’re going to have to get it changed,” he said, suggesting it might require a public vote. He also committed to deporting undocumented immigrants, including those with US citizen family members, emphasizing the need to keep families together by sending them all back.
Trump said he would work with Democrats on a solution for “Dreamers,” undocumented immigrants shielded under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which he once tried to end. He noted some have found good jobs and started businesses.
Trump offered mixed messages about retribution for political foes. Despite earlier vows, he indicated he wouldn’t seek a special counsel investigation into Biden, preferring to focus on future success. However, he suggested members of the House committee that investigated him “should go to jail.” Former congresswoman Liz Cheney responded, calling Trump’s remarks a “continuation of his assault on the rule of law.”
Trump added that he wouldn’t direct the FBI to investigate his political adversaries, but would support action if they broke the law, citing how “they went after me, and I did nothing wrong.”
