PALM SPRINGS — President-elect Donald Trump held a bizarre and freewheeling press conference on Tuesday, where he slammed President Joe Biden’s energy policies and suggested he would consider using “military force” to gain control of other countries.
Trump began the event by announcing a $20 billion investment from DAMAC Properties, a Middle-East based company, to build new data centers across the United States. He then would blast Biden for actions he’s taking before leaving office and laying out his desire to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Here are some key takeaways from Trump’s press conference on Tuesday:
Trump slams Biden’s policies
Trump began by slamming Biden’s recent move to ban all future offshore oil and natural gas drilling off of America’s East and West coasts, a move to offset Trump’s second-term goals.
“We are inheriting a difficult situation from the outgoing administration, and they’re trying everything they can to make it more difficult,” Trump said.
He then went on to lie that Biden’s team is not facilitating a “smooth transition” despite the President inviting Trump to the White House for an official visit and Congress officially certifying the election, overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I will reverse it immediately. It’ll be done immediately. And we will drill baby drill,” Trump said.
However, what Trump does not realize is the ban is considered permanent under the law and Congress would need to change it.
‘All hell will break out’ if Hamas doesn’t release hostages
Trump was asked about the ongoing efforts to secure a deal to release the hostages still being held by Hamas and the president-elect responded with his usual threats.
“All hell will break out. If those hostages aren’t back … If they’re not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” Trump said. “And it will not be good for Hamas. And it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.”
Pardoning the January 6 rioters
Trump continued to lie that no one died during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, led by a mob of Trump supporters in a failed attempt to disrupt the certification of his 2020 election loss.
He declined to not commit to pardoning those rioters who were charged with violent offenses, including those who attacked police officers. Instead, he chose to lie about the events of that deadly day.
“Well, you know, the only one that was killed was a beautiful young lady named Ashley Babbitt,” said Trump.
Over 140 law enforcement officers were injured during the riot, according to the Department of Justice.
Acquiring other countries by force
Perhaps the most eye-opening part of Trump’s press conference was when he suggested he would consider using military force to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, and use what he called “economic force” to acquire Canada.
Trump was asked by a reporter if he could tell the American people that he would not use military force against Panama or Greenland, an idea he was floated in recent weeks and has been vocal about.
“No, I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security,” Trump said.
“You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security,” he added. “They’re great, but we’re spending hundreds of billions here to protect it.”
It was not clear what funds Trump was talking about.
Trump has claimed the U.S. is treated unfairly when it is “overcharged” higher rates for its ships to sail the Canal than those of other countries. However, it will not surprise you that the president-elect has never been clear what deal he is referring to and has offered few details on how he might carry out his plans.
