Trump Says First Acts Will Include Deportations, Jan. 6 Pardons
President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to take immediate action upon assuming office, focusing on pardoning individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol events, expediting deportations of undocumented immigrants, and boosting domestic oil production.
In an interview with Time magazine, Trump shared that the pardons would primarily target “nonviolent” offenders involved in the Capitol protests.
“These pardons are going to happen quickly, and we’ll start in the first hour of my presidency. Most of these individuals shouldn’t be in jail, and they’ve suffered enough,” Trump said, emphasizing his intention to address these cases promptly.
The remarks came during a discussion for Time magazine’s feature naming him “Person of the Year.”
On foreign policy, Trump criticized the Biden administration for allowing U.S. weapons to be used by Ukraine against Russian targets, calling it an escalation of the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He suggested that peace efforts might gain momentum after his return to office.
“I think people are waiting for me to get back before anything significant happens,” he said. “That would be a smart approach.”
He also commented on broader geopolitical challenges, noting, “I believe the Middle East is easier to address than the Russia-Ukraine situation. It’s more complex, but it’s solvable.”
Reflecting on the recent election, Trump took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her decision to run for president a “big mistake.”
“Knowing your strengths is crucial,” he said. “She avoided interviews, and that raised questions about her. If she had just done a few media appearances—even with friendly outlets—it might have helped. Instead, people started to wonder, what’s wrong with her?”
Trump highlighted the value of engaging with the press, contrasting Harris’s approach with his own. “I’m here doing this interview with you. I’ve spoken with countless outlets, even ones that aren’t necessarily friendly. It’s about showing you’re willing to engage.”
In the same interview, Trump praised tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, whom he is reportedly considering for a role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump expressed confidence in Musk’s ability to prioritize the nation over his business interests.
“Elon cares deeply about this country,” Trump said. “He sees this as his most important project, even more than his companies. He’s one of the few with the credibility to take on something this significant.”
Turning to economic policy, Trump underscored the need for spending cuts and reducing government inefficiency to fuel economic growth.
“Our country is bogged down with excessive rules, regulations, and bloated bureaucracies,” he said. “We need to streamline, get people into private sector jobs where they can thrive, and cut down on unnecessary government expenditures. The coming months will be pivotal as we tackle these challenges head-on.”