When he takes office, Trump will not rule out revenge prosecutions and the deportation of US citizens

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump said he couldn’t guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners wouldn’t drive up prices for American consumers, and suggested again that some political rivals and federal officials are taking legal action those who have taken action against him should be imprisoned.

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, the president-elect also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, as well as U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere.

REGARD: A look at Trump’s tariffs and the economic impact on consumer prices and businesses

Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, once warning: “Things are changing.”

A look at some of the topics covered:

Trump doubts whether trade penalties could increase prices

Trump has threatened sweeping trade penalties but said he doesn’t believe economists’ predictions that additional costs for these imported goods for American companies would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. He failed because of the promise that US households would no longer pay when shopping.

“I can’t guarantee anything. “I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, appearing to open the door to accepting the reality of how import tariffs typically work when goods reach the retail market.

READ MORE: Food prices worry most voters, but they are unlikely to see lower grocery bills under Trump

That’s a different approach than Trump’s typical speeches during the 2024 campaign, when he portrayed his election as a sure-fire path to curbing inflation.

In the interview, Trump generally defended the tariffs, saying they would “make us rich.”

He has pledged that on his first day in office in January he will impose 25 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl into the United States satisfactory. He has also threatened China with additional tariffs to force the country to crack down on fentanyl production.

“I just want to have a level playing field, fast but fair,” Trump said.

Trump suggests retribution for his opponents but claims no interest in revenge

He made contradictory statements about how he would handle the justice system after his election victory, despite being convicted of 34 felony counts in a New York state court and in other cases over his handling of national security secrets and his efforts to overturn his defeat against to make amends with Democrat Joe in 2020, Biden was impeached.

“Frankly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of congressmen investigating the Capitol insurrection of his supporters who wanted him to stay in power.

The president-elect underscored his assertion that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case into Trump’s role in the siege on January 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon convicted supporters for their role in the riots and said he would take that action on his first day in office.

REGARD: What Trump’s return to power will mean for the rioters on January 6th

As for the idea that revenge could trigger possible prosecution, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief police officer, you know that. I am the president. But I’m not interested in that.”

At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a House special committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo.

“Cheney was behind it … as was Bennie Thompson and everyone on this committee,” Trump said.

Asked specifically whether he would direct his government to prosecute cases, he said “no” and said he did not expect the FBI to quickly launch investigations into his political enemies.

But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter to Pam Bondi, his pick for attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said.

Such threats have been taken so seriously by many top Democrats, despite Trump’s objections, that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration.

Trump appeared to walk back his campaign rhetoric calling for an investigation into Biden, saying: “I don’t plan on going back to the past.”

Rapid immigration measures are imminent

Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally as part of a mass deportation program.

“I think you have to do it,” he said.

REGARD: The potential economic impact of Trump’s mass deportation promises

He suggested he would seek to use executive action to eliminate “birthright” citizenship, under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — even though such protections are enshrined in the Constitution.

Asked specifically about the future of people brought to the country illegally as children who have been protected from deportation in recent years, Trump said: “I want to work something out” and hinted that he might work out a solution with Congress will search.

But Trump also said he “doesn’t want to break up families with mixed legal status.” “The only way to keep the family from breaking up is to keep them together and have to send them all back.”

Trump is committed to NATO, with conditions and promises to Putin and Ukraine

Long a Trump criticized NATO members for not spending more on their own defense and said he would “absolutely” stay in the alliance “if they pay their bills.”