The president-elect says it’s unlikely his FDA will restrict access to abortion pills.
President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Time magazine after being selected as Time’s 2024 Person of the Year, covering topics ranging from his plans to carry out mass deportations to his continued support for the Senate filibuster.
The transcript of the Nov. 25 interview, conducted at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, was released on Dec. 12. The president-elect also discussed his views on U.S. foreign policy with Ukraine, plans to pardon Jan. 6 defendants, a promise not to restrict access to abortion medication, and potential bans on some vaccines.
Here are six takeaways from that interview.
‘Maximum Level of What the Law Allows’ on Mass Deportations
Time asked Trump about his previous promise to use the military to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants by declaring a national emergency, citing the Posse Comitatus Act as prohibiting the use of the military for domestic law enforcement and what he would do if the armed forces refused to carry out his orders.
Trump responded that it’s not a legal issue.
“[The act] doesn’t stop the military if it’s an invasion of our country, and I consider it an invasion of our country,” he said.
“I’ll only do what the law allows, but I will go up to the maximum level of what the law allows. And I think in many cases, the sheriffs and law enforcement are going to need help.”
Will Not Abandon Ukraine in Negotiation to End War
While discussing the recent Iranian plot to assassinate him, Trump said “anything can happen” regarding the possibility of going to war with Iran during his next term. However, he said, what presents a more dangerous scenario is Ukraine’s decision to fire U.S.-made longer-range missiles into Russia after President Joe Biden reportedly gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy authorization to do so in November.
“Zelenskyy has decided, with the approval of, I assume, the president, to start shooting missiles into Russia,“ Trump said. ”I think that’s a major escalation. I think it’s a foolish decision. But I would imagine people are waiting until I get in before anything happens.”
By Jacob Burg
