US President Donald Trump defended his immigration policies, dismissed concerns about conflict between China and Taiwan, and called for an end to Senate filibusters in a wide-ranging interview with CBS. 60 minutes It is scheduled to air on Sunday.
Speaking to the news channel from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump addressed a series of topics, from Venezuela to domestic prosecutions, while insisting that he was not behind the Justice Department cases against his critics.
The interview marks his first appearance on the network since settling a lawsuit with CBS earlier this year, according to Reuters. Below are the most important points that came out of the interview:
- 01
Trump defends ICE, says agents ‘didn’t go far enough’
When asked about reports of aggressive tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Chicago, Trump dismissed concerns that the agency had gone too far. “No,” he said. “I think they didn’t go far enough because we obstructed the judges, the liberal judges appointed by Biden and Obama.” USA Today.
When asked if he approved of these tactics, Trump replied: “Yes, because you have to get people out. And many of them are murderers… people who were kicked out of their countries because they are criminals.”
- 02
China ‘will never act’ on Taiwan under Trump
Trump stressed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will not invade Taiwan while he remains in office, claiming that their understanding is clear. “He has said outright, and his people have said outright in meetings: We will never do anything while President Trump is president, because they know the consequences,” Trump said. USA Today.
When asked about possible responses to Chinese aggression, Trump declined to provide further details, adding: “I can’t give away my secrets… I don’t want to tell you exactly what will happen if something happens.”
- 03
Trump: Maduro’s days are numbered in Venezuela
Addressing reports of expanding US military action in the Caribbean, Trump hinted at further action against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. “I would say yes. I think so, yes,” Trump said when asked if Maduro’s days were numbered.
He declined to confirm whether he was considering launching strikes on Venezuelan territory, saying: “I’m not saying it’s true or not true… I’m not talking to any reporter about whether I would strike or not.”
- 04
Calls to end the obstruction amid the continued government shutdown
With the government shutdown approaching a record length, Trump urged Republicans to overturn a Senate resolution that he said hindered progress. “Republicans have to get tougher,” Trump said. USA Today.
He criticized Democrats for sticking to spending negotiations, adding: “They’ve gone crazy crazy. I’m not going to do it through blackmail.”
- 05
He denies using the Justice Department to retaliate
Trump rejected accusations that he directed the Justice Department to pursue cases against critics such as John Bolton and James Comey. He said: No, not in any way, shape or form.
He credited Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for taking independent action, according to what The Sun website reported. USA Today“The honest people we have automatically go after them. I think I was being too nice.”
- 06
New York mayoral candidate described Mamdani as a “communist”
Trump rejected the socialist Democratic candidate Zahran Mamdani, the front-runner in the New York mayoral race, and described him as a “communist.”
“A communist, not a socialist,” Trump said. “He’s a lot worse than a socialist.” He added that it would be difficult for the federal government to support New York if Mamdani became mayor. “It will be difficult for me as president to give money to New York.”
When O’Donnell noted that some saw similarities between Mamdani and Trump as rule-breaking populists, Trump joked: “Well, I guess I’m a much better person than him, right?”
(tags for translation)Donald Trump
