In a groundbreaking interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump outlined an ambitious plan to reshape key policies as he prepares to take office in January 2025. The former president’s bold agenda includes ending birthright citizenship, offering pardons to Capitol rioters, and revamping immigration policies, signaling a transformative shift in US domestic policy.
Capitol Rioters Pardons on Day One
Donald Trump announced that he would prioritize reviewing cases of those convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Referring to their conditions in prison as “filthy” and “inhumane,” Trump pledged to act swiftly on their pardons.
“These people are living in hell,” he stated, suggesting he would evaluate individual cases on his first day in office. “We’re going to look at independent cases. First day.”
This promise comes as a reassurance to his supporter base, many of whom view the Capitol riot defendants as victims of political persecution. Critics, however, argue this could undermine the judicial process and accountability for the riots.
Ending Birthright Citizenship
The president-elect reignited his campaign pledge to end birthright citizenship, a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Birthright citizenship currently provides automatic citizenship to anyone born on US soil, regardless of their parents’ nationality.
“We have to end it,” Donald Trump asserted, vowing to pursue executive action or legislative measures to revise this long-standing policy. Legal experts have noted that such a move would face significant constitutional challenges and likely require a constitutional amendment.
Immigration Overhaul: Tough Stance With a Compromise
Trump’s immigration plans extend beyond birthright citizenship. He doubled down on his pledge to deport undocumented immigrants, including those with family members who are US citizens. However, he expressed a willingness to collaborate with Democrats to provide protections for Dreamers—individuals brought to the US as children under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“I will work with the Democrats on a plan,” he said, adding that some Dreamers have contributed significantly to the US economy by starting businesses and securing jobs.
Despite this, his hardline stance on family deportations remains intact: “The only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and send them all back.”
Retribution and Accountability: Mixed Signals
While Trump emphasized forward-looking policies, his remarks on accountability for political adversaries raised eyebrows. Despite earlier calls for retribution, Trump stated, “I’m not looking to go back into the past. Retribution will be through success.”
Yet, he criticized members of the now-defunct House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riots, stating they “should go to jail.” This included former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, who fired back, labeling Trump’s rhetoric as a “continuation of his assault on the rule of law.”
Policy Priorities: Economy, Energy, and Social Security
Trump also highlighted plans to issue numerous executive orders on energy, the economy, and social security reforms, promising to make the latter more efficient without raising eligibility ages. On international relations, he signaled potential reductions in aid to Ukraine and hinted at reevaluating US participation in NATO, contingent on allied nations meeting financial commitments.
Navigating Controversy and Transition
Trump’s NBC interview marks his return to the media spotlight as president-elect, with sweeping promises that cater to his conservative base while stirring debates on constitutional and humanitarian grounds. As he prepares for inauguration on January 20, the nation braces for policy shifts that could redefine America’s trajectory.
Sidenote: This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
