Former President Donald Trump is looking ahead to a possible second term as president and laid out his agenda in an interview with Time magazine.
The interview, which was published Tuesday, involved a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and a follow-up phone call.
A wide range of topics were discussed, including a massive deportation operation of migrants and abortion.
Trump said he would deploy the military as part of a deportation plan even though there is a law that prohibits using American troops against civilians.
“Well, these aren’t civilians,” Trump said. “These are people that aren’t legally in our country. This is an invasion of our country. An invasion like probably no country has ever seen before. They’re coming in by the millions. I believe we have 15 million now. And I think you’ll have 20 million by the time this ends. And that’s bigger than almost every state.”
When it came to any possible political violence in November, Trump was more circumspect. He did say he was going to win.
“I think we’re going to win,” Trump said. “And if we don’t win, you know, it depends. It always depends on the fairness of an election.”
Trump has taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade since he nominated three Supreme Court justices that played a part in the court’s reversal of abortion.
Trump believes it’s up to the states to decide about abortion.
More than 20 states now have banned abortion — either full or partial.
When asked if he would be comfortable with states prosecuting women for having abortions beyond what the laws permit, Trump said, “It’s irrelevant whether I’m comfortable or not. It’s totally irrelevant, because the states are going to make those decisions.”
Trump, The New York Times reported, said the story was “very nice” and “at least 60% correct, which is about all I can ask for.”
