In a Thursday interview with NBC News, President-elect Donald Trump confirmed that one of his first actions after taking office in January will be to bolster the U.S. border, emphasizing his commitment to make it “strong and powerful.” Addressing his campaign pledge for large-scale deportations, Trump stated that his administration would have “no choice” but to proceed, viewing his electoral victory over Vice President Kamala Harris as a mandate for a renewed “common-sense” approach to national security.
“We have to make the border strong and powerful,” Trump said. “At the same time, we want people to come into our country, but through a legal process.” Despite his tough stance, Trump clarified he is not opposed to immigration, remarking, “I’m not saying, ‘No, you can’t come in.’ We want people who come in with love for the country.”
During his campaign, Trump pledged to launch “the largest deportation effort in American history.” When asked about the cost, he dismissed financial concerns, saying, “It’s not about a price tag; we have no choice. When people have killed and destroyed communities, they’re going back. There is no price tag for safety.”
Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner highlighted the logistical and financial challenges such an operation would entail, involving multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Pentagon.
Trump’s platform on immigration resonated with a broader coalition of voters than anticipated, contributing to significant gains among Latino, young, and Asian American voters. “They want secure borders,” he noted, “but they also want people to come in legally and with respect for the country.” He further criticized the Democratic approach, stating, “You can’t support ideas like defunding the police; they don’t work, and people understand that.”
The president-elect also acknowledged positive post-election exchanges with Harris and President Joe Biden. “Very nice calls, very respectful both ways,” he described. Harris had affirmed her commitment to a smooth transition, while Biden encouraged the nation to “accept the choice the country made” in re-electing Trump.
Trump mentioned plans to meet with Biden over lunch soon and shared that he has spoken with nearly 70 world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, he has yet to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he anticipates a future conversation. Throughout the campaign, Trump vowed to mediate an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflict if elected, suggesting he could negotiate “a deal that’s good for both sides.
