President-elect Donald Trump addressed the media at Mar-a-Lago following the certification of his 2024 presidential election win by Congress. Here are some of the key points from his remarks:
Legal Issues
Trump criticized the 'weaponization of justice' by Democrats and targeted special counsel Jack Smith, referring to him as a 'deranged individual.' He also expressed dissatisfaction with Judge Juan Merchan's handling of a hush money case and praised Judge Aileen Cannon's decision to block the public release of Smith's final report.
Offshore Drilling
Trump reiterated his intention to reverse President Joe Biden's ban on future offshore oil and gas development in certain areas, stating that he would take action immediately.
Passing His Agenda
Looking ahead, Trump expressed a desire to pass his agenda through a single bill but indicated openness to splitting priorities across different legislation for a quicker process. He acknowledged the challenges of lowering prices but remained committed to achieving significant reductions.
Panama Canal and Greenland
Trump criticized former President Jimmy Carter's decision to return control of the Panama Canal to Panama and did not rule out using military force to regain control of the canal and Greenland, territories of interest to him.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' and reiterated his calls for Mexico's cooperation in addressing illegal immigration and his threat to impose tariffs.
Canada's Prime Minister
Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation, Trump mentioned encouraging former NHL player Wayne Gretzky to consider running for the position.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Trump expressed concerns about the situation in Ukraine, warning of potential escalation. He also issued a strong statement regarding hostages in Gaza, indicating that failure to release them before his inauguration could lead to significant consequences in the Middle East.
