President-elect Donald Trump discussed his priorities for the first week of his administration during a wide-ranging phone interview with NBC News on Saturday. In the interview, Trump highlighted plans for mass deportations, a trip to Los Angeles to assess wildfire damage, and a potential extension for TikTok’s U.S. ban. Trump also addressed key topics like his upcoming inauguration and the Middle East peace efforts.
Trump confirmed plans to sign a record number of executive actions when he takes office. He also discussed his decision to move the inauguration ceremony indoors due to cold weather, marking the first time since 1985 that the event will be held indoors. Trump expressed confidence in the decision, citing safety concerns for attendees.
The president-elect shared his vision for his inauguration speech, emphasizing unity, strength, and fairness, and acknowledged the challenges of the past four years. Trump also mentioned his son, Barron, as a key figure in his online outreach efforts.
Trump reiterated that mass deportations of undocumented immigrants would be a top priority. While he did not specify cities or timelines, he indicated that the operation would begin quickly. He emphasized the importance of removing criminals from the U.S. and stated his administration would take swift action on the issue.
Trump also revealed plans to sign a significant number of executive orders, with the expectation of setting a new record. He did not confirm an exact number but indicated the total would likely surpass 100.
As the U.S. moves closer to enforcing a law banning TikTok, Trump discussed the possibility of a 90-day extension for the popular video app. He confirmed that he would likely announce his decision on the matter soon after taking office. The extension would allow more time to evaluate national security concerns related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Trump announced plans to visit Los Angeles to address the wildfire damage, saying his administration would focus on solutions to manage water resources. He noted that his visit would occur later in the week, after taking office. While he had not yet spoken with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Trump expressed his intent to help the state recover.
Trump also commented on a ceasefire deal in Israel and Gaza, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. He expressed cautious optimism about the deal’s success and reaffirmed U.S. support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to end the conflict. Trump emphasized the importance of respect in international relations and vowed that the U.S. would be respected once again under his leadership.
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