On Saturday, former President Donald Trump revealed that the ongoing issue of illegal immigration was a major reason for his decision to seek the presidency once more. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump expressed his frustration with the influx of individuals from "prisons," "mental institutions," and "gang members" crossing the border into the United States by bus.
"I couldn't take it. So, I decided, 'I'm running for president again.' Now, we don't have that problem," he stated with a grin to a cheering crowd of supporters. Known for his controversial and stringent immigration policies, Trump criticized the handling of border security by the Biden administration, which he said caused him considerable aggravation.
"I couldn't take it," he reiterated, before catching himself and quipping, "Donald, don't get angry." During his speech, Trump conveyed confidence that his "approach" to immigration is the solution to the crisis at the southern border.
Trump took pride in the accomplishments of his tenure, such as reducing the federal workforce and shrinking the size of the government, while assuring that his party would continue to achieve electoral victories in the future. "We're going to build a new and lasting political majority that will shape American politics for generations," he vowed to the attendees.
In the first month of Trump's presidency, 37,660 people were deported, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Despite these initial figures, a senior Trump administration official and consulted experts believe that deportations could rise in the coming months as new strategies are implemented to boost arrests and removals.
Trump's campaign heavily focused on a promise of mass deportations, aiming to remove millions of illegal immigrants in what would be the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Trump's Immigration Policies and Future Implications
What motivated Donald Trump to run for president again?
Donald Trump was primarily motivated to run for president again due to the issue of illegal immigration and his dissatisfaction with the Biden administration's handling of border security.
What was the focus of Trump's campaign regarding immigration?
Trump's campaign focused on the promise of large-scale deportations, aiming to remove millions of illegal immigrants in what would be the biggest deportation operation in U.S. history.
How did Trump's administration impact federal employment and government size?
Trump's administration claimed achievements in reducing the number of federal employees and decreasing the overall size of the government.