Donald Trump Discusses Key Policies in Time Person of the Year Interview
In an expansive interview with Time magazine following his recognition as Person of the Year, President-elect Donald Trump shared his views on several critical topics that are poised to shape the direction of his administration. The interview took place on November 25, shortly after Trump's election victory, marking the second time he has received this prestigious acknowledgement.
One major focus of the discussion was Trump's staunch opposition to President Biden’s missile policy in Ukraine. He expressed his strong disagreement with the authorization for Ukraine to use U.S.-provided long-range weapons to strike inside Russia, stating, "I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse." Trump has consistently voiced doubts about continuing U.S. support for Ukraine and has indicated a desire to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict.
Trump highlighted the staggering loss of life on both sides of the Ukraine warfare, referring to young soldiers' deaths as a tragedy. Despite being pressed on whether he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin post-election, Trump maintained that a viable solution can only be reached by not abandoning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing the need for negotiation.
The conversation then shifted to immigration policy, where Trump reiterated his intention to use the military to deport undocumented migrants. He described illegal immigration as an invasion, declaring he would utilize the military to the fullest extent allowable by law. Trump stated, "I’ll only do what the law allows but I will go up to the maximum level of what the law allows." He further elaborated on potentially establishing new detention facilities for migrants and warned that countries refusing to accept deported individuals could face substantial tariffs.
Trump also addressed his plans for pardoning individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riots, indicating he would review cases on an individual basis, particularly focusing on those convicted of nonviolent crimes. He expressed a belief that many of the convicted have been punished excessively, with approximately 1,200 individuals connected to the Capitol riots facing legal consequences.
In a contentious stance, Trump revealed he would explore the safety of childhood vaccines alongside rising autism diagnoses. He proposed that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism toward vaccines, would lead a study examining possible links between vaccines and autism. Trump hinted at the potential removal of certain vaccinations from the childhood vaccine schedule if deemed dangerous, despite scientific consensus refuting any connection between vaccines and autism.
This interview underlines Trump's readiness to implement sweeping changes upon taking office, with significant implications for U.S. foreign policy, immigration, and health regulations. As he prepares to enter the White House again, the nation's attention is focused on how these plans will unfold and impact both domestic and international landscapes.
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