US President Donald Trump claims he saved economy, removed ‘vicious criminals’ in one-year milestone briefing

US President Donald Trump held a White House briefing on Tuesday to mark one year since his second term and used the opportunity to forcefully defend his administration’s economic record. He argued that the US economy was “booming” and that inflation had fallen sharply from the levels he inherited from former President Joe Biden.

What the US President said celebrates the first anniversary of his second term

Trump emphasized that economic growth was “incredible” and said, “We inherited a mess and now we’ve brought inflation down considerably.” He predicted that GDP growth in the fourth quarter was on track to exceed 5 percent and underlined that thousands of factories were being built across the country.

Trump credited tariffs and significant investment commitments from major global companies like Apple, NVIDIA, Ford, General Motors and Hyundai for this growth. He also claimed that Americans’ real incomes increased during his presidency, noting record levels in stock markets and retirement accounts. Expressing his disappointment with the public image of his administration, Trump said, “Maybe I have bad people in public relations, but we cannot convey this,” and pointed out that their successes were not adequately conveyed to the public.

Immigration enforcement and criticism of Biden’s policies

On immigration, Trump has launched a sustained attack on the previous Biden administration’s border policies, accusing it of allowing violent criminals to enter the country.

During the briefing, he displayed photos of people apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and suggested that many were involved in serious crimes. “These are serious criminals,” Trump said, describing them as “evil” and blaming the “open borders” policy under the Biden administration. He specifically mentioned Minnesota in the context of immigration enforcement, accusing protesters opposing ICE operations of being “paid agitators.”

Trump defended federal law enforcement, praising ICE and Border Patrol officers for their role in the deportations and claiming they were unfairly criticized. The administration presented a dossier titled “365 Victories in 365 Days,” which it described as a compilation of daily achievements since its second inauguration on January 20, 2025. This document included a range of actions, from significant reductions in illegal border crossings to changes expanding consumer choice for everyday items such as shower heads and toilets.

Foreign policy and Venezuelan involvement

Turning to foreign policy, Trump stated that he was open to working with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado following the latest developments in the country. “We are talking to him. Maybe we can involve him in some way. I would love to be able to do that,” he said, signaling the continued US involvement in Venezuela.