In an in-depth interview marking the first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump placed a heavy focus on immigration policy, describing it as the most significant area of progress his administration has made so far. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump claimed that under his leadership, the U.S.-Mexico border has been effectively “totally closed down”, citing a 99.9% reduction in illegal border crossings, a statistic he said was unthinkable under previous administrations.
Trump repeatedly contrasted his immigration approach with that of former President Joe Biden, accusing the previous administration of creating a crisis through what he called "open border policies." He claimed that 21 million people had illegally entered the U.S. during Biden's term—many of whom, he asserted, were criminals, gang members, or inmates released from foreign prisons. Trump specifically cited individuals coming not only from Latin America but also from countries such as Venezuela, the Congo, and other parts of the world. He suggested that some foreign governments had deliberately emptied their prisons into the United States.
When questioned about the legal due process requirements for deportation, Trump expressed skepticism about whether such a process could realistically apply to such large numbers of undocumented immigrants. While ABC News anchor Terry Moran emphasized that U.S. law guarantees a hearing before deportation, Trump countered that expedited removals were essential to national safety and security. He suggested that it would be impossible to conduct individual trials for millions of people, especially if some are known or suspected criminals.
The interview also addressed the controversial deportation of over 200 Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador, a move criticized by some human rights advocates and commentators, including popular podcaster Joe Rogan. Moran noted that many of those deported had no known criminal record. Trump responded by insisting that the individuals in question were “violent people” and that even without formal criminal records, they were identified as threats. He acknowledged Rogan’s warning to avoid “becoming monsters while fighting monsters,” but stood firm in defending the action as necessary, careful, and legal.
Moran questioned Trump about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was removed from the U.S. despite a court-issued protective order prohibiting it. The Supreme Court has since ordered the U.S. government to facilitate his return, but Trump dismissed the legal process, claiming Abrego was a violent MS-13 gang member with a history of domestic abuse. When Moran pointed out the absence of visible gang tattoos in photos taken after his deportation, Trump brushed it off and questioned the legitimacy of the legal system, calling some judges “radical left” and accusing them of protecting criminals.
Throughout the conversation, Trump maintained that protecting Americans from crime and lawlessness was a central mandate of his presidency. He portrayed his immigration strategy as a mission to correct the failures of the past, describing Biden-era immigration policies as reckless and dangerous. Despite concerns about the legality and morality of some enforcement actions, Trump insisted that his administration was acting lawfully, though he criticized certain legal constraints as obstacles to effective governance.
Trump used the interview to underscore immigration enforcement as a cornerstone of his second-term agenda. He argued that swift deportations and strict border controls were critical to restoring national security and law and order. While he acknowledged some of the legal and humanitarian concerns raised, he firmly framed these actions as necessary for the country’s survival, positioning himself as the leader finally delivering on promises to secure the border and remove dangerous individuals from the United States.
Reference:
Moran, Terry. “FULL TRANSCRIPT: Trump’s exclusive 100 days broadcast interview with ABC News” ABC News. April 29, 2025.
