Trump Pledges to End Birthright Citizenship and Pardon Capitol Rioters as He Prepares for Second Term
President-elect Donald Trump has announced his plans to issue sweeping executive orders upon taking office in January, including controversial proposals to end birthright citizenship and grant pardons to individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
In his first major network interview since securing the 2024 election, Trump shared his agenda with NBC’s Meet the Press, outlining bold steps for his second presidential term. Among the first actions he plans to take after inauguration on January 20th is granting pardons to those convicted in connection with the Capitol riot, an event that saw his supporters storm Congress in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
Pardon for Capitol Rioters: A Priority on Day One
Trump emphasized that the individuals involved in the riot have “been living in hell,” referring to their conditions in prison. “We’re going to look at independent cases. Yeah, but I’m going to be acting very quickly, first day,” Trump stated, reinforcing his commitment to pardoning them.
The president-elect argued that the detainees are being held in “filthy, disgusting” conditions, criticizing the prison system and its treatment of individuals involved in the insurrection. He did not provide specific details about how many individuals might receive pardons, but vowed to act swiftly upon his return to the White House.
End of Birthright Citizenship: A Constitutional Challenge
In addition to his stance on pardoning the rioters, Trump vowed to take action to end automatic birthright citizenship, a principle enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “We’re going to have to get it changed,” Trump said. He suggested that Congress would need to amend the Constitution to remove this provision, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil.
This proposal has already sparked debate, as birthright citizenship has been a cornerstone of American immigration law for over 150 years. Trump’s statement signals a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy and could fuel further discussions on how to address undocumented immigrants.
Trump on Immigration, NATO, and More
Trump also discussed other significant policy issues in the interview, stating that he would prioritize immigration reform, particularly focusing on deporting undocumented immigrants and addressing the fate of “Dreamers” — those brought to the U.S. as children under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He mentioned plans to work with Democrats on a potential solution for Dreamers but reiterated his commitment to ending illegal immigration.
On international matters, Trump hinted at a more skeptical approach to NATO, stressing that the U.S. would only remain in the alliance if member nations “pay their bills” and treat the U.S. fairly. He also signaled that Ukraine might see a reduction in aid when he resumes office.
Retribution and Accountability: Trump’s Mixed Signals
Trump’s comments on retribution against political adversaries raised eyebrows as well. While he indicated he would not pursue criminal investigations into Joe Biden or his family, he reiterated his belief that those who investigated him, including members of the now-defunct House committee that looked into the Capitol riot, “should go to jail.”
However, Trump made clear that his primary focus is on achieving success for the country, stating that “retribution will be through success,” not through retribution against political enemies.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Trump’s Second Term Agenda
As Trump prepares for his second term, his controversial proposals on birthright citizenship, pardons for Capitol rioters, and other significant policy shifts will shape the early days of his presidency. With a bold executive agenda, Trump promises to prioritize immigration reform, energy policies, and economic measures to make the country “successful” again.
His remarks during this NBC interview highlight his unwavering commitment to the issues he campaigned on, while signaling his determination to act decisively in his return to the Oval Office.
