US President Donald Trump stepped into the White House briefing room on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his second inauguration. The briefing began later than planned, but once Trump started speaking, he stayed on for more than an hour.
Trump used the moment to highlight his administration’s achievements on immigration, the economy and foreign policy. Along the way, he criticised European allies, attacked prosecutors who once targeted him, spoke about Greenland, defended his tariff policy and made a series of controversial remarks on immigration.
Trump signals backup plan if tariffs are struck down
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said he is prepared to use other methods to raise revenue if the Supreme Court rules against his tariff policy.
Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested he has alternatives ready if the court decides that the tariffs he imposed last year under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are illegal. “I have to use something else,” Trump said. “I mean, you know, take a look at the word ‘license.’ Take a look at other things.”
He added that the current approach remains his preferred option. “What we’re doing now is the best, the strongest, the fastest, the easiest, the least complicated.” The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue later this term. If the tariffs are struck down, companies across the US could become eligible for hundreds of billions of dollars in refunds.
Trump lashes out at Europe, NATO and tariff critics
During the briefing, Trump complained repeatedly about America’s European allies. He questioned whether NATO countries would come to the US’s defence in a crisis. He insisted he has done more for NATO than any other president. “The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO, and I know we’ll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they’ll come to ours,” he said. “I’m just asking. Just saying,” he said.
Speaking of Greenland, an agreeable solution, Trump suggested, could still be worked out. “I think something’s going to happen that’s going to be very good for everybody,” he said. He added that any arrangement would keep both Washington and its allies satisfied. “I think that we will work something out where NATO’s going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy. But we need it for security purposes. We need financial security and even world security,” Trump said.
Immigration, ICE and ‘mistakes’
Much of Trump’s speech focused on immigration. He defended Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, including those in Minnesota, where an ICE officer shot Renee Nicole Good during a confrontation earlier this month. For the first time, Trump acknowledged that enforcement actions can sometimes go wrong.
“They’re going to make mistakes sometimes,” he said. “ICE is going to be too rough with somebody… it can happen. We feel terribly.” He called Good’s death “a tragedy” and said he felt “horribly” when he heard about it.
Trump criticises Somalia and Somali immigrants
Trump once again lashed out at Somalia and Somali immigrants in the US. Early in the briefing, he said Somalia was “not even a country” and later made another inflammatory remark. “That’s about the only thing they’re good at, is pirating ships,” he said.
He also criticised Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is of Somali origin, and claimed Somali immigrants have “very low IQ,” remarks that are likely to spark backlash.
‘You’ll find out’: Trump doubles down on Greenland push
Trump once again made it clear that he is not backing off from his move to take control of Greenland. When asked how far he is willing to go to acquire the Arctic island, Trump refused to give details. “You’ll find out,” he told reporters.
He also brushed aside concerns that Greenlanders do not want to be part of the United States. “When I speak to them, I’m sure they’ll be thrilled,” Trump said.
Trump attacks prosecutors, calls them ‘sick people’
Trump used part of the briefing to rant against prosecutors who investigated him during and after his first term. He called out former special counsel Jack Smith, New York Attorney General Letitia James and others. “They gave me the worst of the worst, and here I am,” Trump said. “They’re sick people.”
Trump was convicted in the New York hush money case, while other cases were later dismissed. He again denied wrongdoing.
Nobel Prize, Norway and grievances
Trump again returned to ‘the snub of the year’ — the Nobel Peace Prize. He insisted he deserved the award for ending wars and repeated his claim that Norway controls the prize. “I should have gotten the Nobel Prize for each war,” he said. “Norway controls the shots.”
This is despite repeated clarifications that the Nobel committee operates independently of the Norwegian government.
Board of Peace and doubts over the UN
Asked whether his proposed “Board of Peace” could replace the United Nations, Trump first suggested it might, before softening his tone. “I’m a big fan of the UN,” he said, adding that it “hasn’t been very helpful.”
World leaders have raised concerns about the lack of clarity around the new body, which Trump says could oversee future conflict zones.