Sen. Bill Hagerty expressed support for President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on various nations, including Canada and Mexico, citing the U.S.’s long history of using trade strategically. Hagerty emphasized that access to the U.S. market is a privilege and suggested that tariffs could be used as a tool to address issues such as border security and illegal immigration. He defended Trump’s tariff proposals against criticism from Sen. Chris Murphy, who called them a distraction from creating American jobs.
Hagerty also voiced approval for Trump’s cabinet picks, including Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, despite concerns raised by some senators. He described Patel as the right person to bring change to the FBI, citing alleged problems within the organization, and brushed off worries about Gabbard’s past meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad and accusations of repeating Russian propaganda.
The senator’s comments came amid Trump’s escalating threats of tariffs and discussions with world leaders, such as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Hagerty echoed Trump’s approach, emphasizing the need to use all available tools, including tariffs, to achieve the administration’s goals. Despite criticism, he indicated his support for Trump’s nominees and their abilities to address challenges within their respective roles.
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