Trump stands firm on COVID policies and Jan. 6 speech, shows no remorse.

Former President Donald Trump Stands by His Actions During Crises

In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump expressed no regrets for his response to two major crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. Capitol breach. He defended his approach to handling these events, stating that he gave governors the option to make decisions regarding shutdowns and that he never mandated anyone to get a COVID shot.

Trump also discussed the topic of the death penalty for drug dealers, expressing uncertainty about whether it would effectively solve the nation’s drug problem. He mentioned that some governors, like those in South Carolina, Tennessee, and South Dakota, chose to keep their states open during the pandemic, while others, like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, implemented strict measures.

“In Florida, by the way, he shut it down tight. No highways, no beaches,” Trump said, taking a jab at DeSantis.

Vaccines and Controversy

When asked about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, Trump responded with caution. He acknowledged his efforts to promote alternative therapies and his involvement in the rapid production of vaccines through Operation Warp Speed. However, he admitted that discussing vaccines is difficult due to the divided opinions within the Republican party.

“As a Republican, it’s not a great thing to do,” he said. “People love the vaccines, and people hate the vaccines… and I understand both sides of it.”

Jan. 6 and Its Aftermath

Regarding the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump defended his speech, emphasizing that he called for a peaceful demonstration. He expressed concern that video footage of the peaceful audience is rarely shown. Trump also stood by his decision to pardon some of the defendants charged in connection with the events, stating that many of them are innocent and are being treated unfairly.

The Death Penalty Debate

Trump addressed criticism from Republicans who accused him of being “soft” on crime due to his support for The First Step Act, which reduced penalties for nonviolent drug offenders. He mentioned that even Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized him for signing the bipartisan legislation into law. Trump commuted the life prison term of Alice Marie Johnson, a nonviolent drug offender, as an example of how the act works.