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President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is considering expanding his administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign into five additional U.S. cities, while also warning Iran’s supreme leader of possible renewed U.S. military action, questioning the independence of the Federal Reserve and declining to rule out attempting to remain in office beyond the end of his current term.
In a nearly hourlong Oval Office interview with NBC News’ Tom Llamas, Trump said federal officials are “looking at” five cities for potential immigration operations but suggested he prefers cooperation from local leaders after violent encounters involving federal agents in Minneapolis last month.
“We have five cities that we’re looking at very strongly, but we want to be invited,” Trump said. He declined to name the cities.
The comments marked Trump’s most expansive public reflection yet on the administration’s immigration tactics following two fatal shootings of American citizens by federal agents in January, incidents that triggered public backlash, lawsuits and court rulings limiting enforcement actions in several jurisdictions.
Immigration enforcement and a “softer touch”
Trump acknowledged the Minneapolis operations had prompted internal changes, including leadership reshuffles, and said the administration may need “a softer touch” even as it continues to prioritize arrests.
“I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough,” Trump said. “We’re dealing with really hard criminals.”
Federal agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 during separate operations. Trump said he was “not happy” with the incidents, though he also suggested neither victim was “an angel,” before adding that the deaths were “very sad to me.”
Major urban operations have fueled lawsuits alleging violations of constitutional rights and have drawn scrutiny over arrest quotas imposed by the Department of Homeland Security. As those targets increased, the proportion of detainees with criminal convictions or pending charges declined, according to court filings and advocacy groups.
Despite the criticism, Trump insisted his enforcement strategy remains tightly focused.
“We are totally focused on criminals, really bad criminals,” he said. “I’m talking about murderers from different countries.”
The issue has exposed a growing divide between Trump’s hardline MAGA base, which supports mass deportations, and more moderate Republicans who emphasize targeting violent offenders.
Economy, tariffs and possible rebate checks
Trump again claimed credit for what he described as improving economic conditions, despite voter concerns about inflation that fueled Democratic victories in several high-profile elections last year.
He blamed lingering price pressures on his predecessor and pointed to tariffs and foreign investment commitments as signs of progress.
“I inherited the worst inflation in the history of our country,” Trump said. “I don’t expect [prices] to be much higher.”
Pressed on his proposal to issue $2,000 tariff rebate checks — a plan that would require congressional approval — Trump stopped short of making a commitment.
“I’m looking at it very seriously,” he said. “I haven’t made the commitment yet, but I may make the commitment.”
Federal Reserve independence
Trump also questioned the Federal Reserve’s independence, expressing frustration with Chair Jerome Powell’s resistance to lowering interest rates more aggressively.
Asked whether the Fed is an independent institution, Trump replied: “In theory, it’s an independent body. But I think, you know, I’m a smart guy. I know the economy better than almost everybody.”
He said he would not have nominated Kevin Warsh as a potential successor to Powell if Warsh intended to raise rates against Trump’s wishes.
AI, media mergers and Joe Rogan
Trump touted artificial intelligence as a long-term engine of economic growth, despite concerns about job losses and energy costs tied to data centers.
“Everything’s on me as president,” he said. “There’ll be tremendous good, and there’ll be probably some bad, too.”
He acknowledged he has not personally used popular AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude but said he is well-versed in the technology.
On media consolidation, Trump said he is staying out of the proposed sale of Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix, deferring to the Justice Department despite intense lobbying.
“I’ve decided I shouldn’t be involved,” he said. “The Justice Department will handle it.”
Trump also brushed aside criticism from podcaster Joe Rogan, who recently likened ICE tactics to those of the Nazi Gestapo, calling Rogan “a great guy” and blaming public relations failures rather than policy.
Iran warning and election rhetoric
Trump warned that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, should be “very worried” as U.S. and Iranian officials prepare for talks in Oman.
“If Iran tried to renew its nuclear work, I would send U.S. bombers back to Iran to do their job again,” Trump said, without offering evidence that Tehran is restarting its nuclear program.
The president also walked back recent comments about “nationalizing” elections after backlash from Republicans, instead accusing Democrats of corruption in major cities and claiming opposition to voter ID laws proves an intent to cheat.
“I didn’t say ‘national,’” Trump said. “I said there are some areas in our country that are extremely corrupt.”
Successors and third-term teasing
Asked about potential Republican successors, Trump praised both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling each “fantastic” and “very capable,” while declining to endorse either for 2028.
He again flirted with the idea of remaining president beyond Jan. 20, 2029, despite constitutional limits.
“I don’t know. It would be interesting,” Trump said. “But wouldn’t it be terrible if I gave you the answer that you’re looking for?”
Lawsuits and legacy projects
Trump said any money he might receive from civil lawsuits against the federal government — including a $10 billion suit over the leak of his tax returns — would be donated to charity, even though the agencies involved report to him as president.
He also revealed plans for a monumental arch at the entrance to Washington from Virginia, larger than Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, as part of what he described as a push to restore “glamour” and “prestige” to the country.
“We need beauty,” Trump said. “We’re doing one that will be more magnificent and larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.”
