US President Donald Trump made a series of wide-ranging remarks during a cabinet meeting that touched on homeland security, the economy, the Federal Reserve, immigration and ongoing legal battles.
National Guard deployment ‘as training’
Trump has defended the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities, calling the missions beneficial for the troops.
“They like to do it … It’s like training,” Trump said.
“This is actually training. I never want to take them out of DC.”
He pointed to past deployments in cities including Los Angeles, Memphis and Portland as part of efforts to reduce crime and support federal operations.
New attack on Fed chief Jerome Powell
Trump again took aim at Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over the central bank’s interest rate policy and spending.
“We call him Jerome ‘too late’ Powell … he did a terrible job,” Trump said.
He also complained about the legal scrutiny he faces compared to Powell.
“I’m being sued … but they don’t sue a guy whose interest rates are too high.”
Gas tax relief ‘on the table’
Amid rising fuel prices, Trump indicated that suspending the federal gas tax remains an option.
“It’s something we have in our pocket if we think it’s necessary,” he said.
He acknowledged the short-term economic strain associated with the ongoing conflict, but expressed optimism about long-term growth.
Kennedy Center Renaming Dispute
Trump defended the decision to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in his honor, calling it a display of bipartisanship.
“It shows that Republicans and Democrats … are working together,” he said.
The move faces legal challenges from Democratic lawmakers.
Aid to farmers and criticism of tariffs
The president said new measures to support American farmers would be announced soon, while defending past aid funded by tariffs.
“We love farmers … we gave them $12 billion in tariff money,” Trump said.
He also criticized the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against his tariff policy.
“It’s a terrible, terrible, terrible mistake… but we have another method.
Notes on Immigration and the Minnesota Case
Trump renewed attacks related to the Minnesota fraud case and criticized Somali immigrants, while also taking aim at the state’s leadership.
“The attorney general is a dirty cop,” Trump said. “It’s my opinion. It’s just my opinion and something should be done about it,” Trump said, referring to Keith Ellison.
He renews his attacks on Somali immigrants, telling reporters: “These people come from a crooked country, a disgusting country, one of the worst countries in the world, which is considered one of the worst.”
Trump added: “They have no money. They have nothing. They come into our country, they have low IQs and they rob us blind – stupid people – and they rob us blind.”
Defending voting by mail
Despite previous criticism of mail-in ballots, Trump explained his own use of the method in the recent election.
“Being the president of the United States, I sent an email for the election that was held in Florida because I felt I should be here instead of out in the beautiful sunshine,” he said.
Criticism of the Judiciary
Trump extended his criticism to the judiciary, including the Supreme Court.
“…the judges are really hurting this country, and frankly, the judges, the Supreme Court, have really hurt our country as well.”
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