President Trump marks 100 days with rally, defends tariffs and immigration policies

President Donald Trump returned to Michigan to celebrate his first 100 days in office.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump returned to Michigan to celebrate his first 100 days in office, holding a rally that echoed many of the themes from his campaign. “I miss the campaign,” Trump said during the event, as he leaned into familiar messages on immigration, trade, and the economy.

The president touted his “America First” economic approach, promising to prioritize American workers over foreign competitors. “Instead of putting China first, I’m putting Michigan first, and I’m putting America first,” he told the cheering crowd.

In an interview with ABC News, Trump defended his use of tariffs and the resulting economic uncertainty, saying it was part of the plan all along. “I said all these things during my campaign. I said, you’re going to have a transition period,” he explained. This comes despite previous campaign promises to immediately lower prices upon taking office. “When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One,” Trump had declared during his run.

Critics, including Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), have been quick to respond. “The American public has already made it clear, Donald Trump, you have failed us,” Booker said, noting the president’s historically low approval ratings.

While President Trump maintains that tariffs will revitalize U.S. manufacturing and reshape global trade, his administration recently moved to ease tariffs on imported auto parts after pushback from American automakers concerned about rising costs.

Trump also addressed the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and due process. In response to a Supreme Court ruling requiring hearings for deportations, he questioned the practicality of providing trials for millions of undocumented migrants. “Do you think we can give 21 million trials? Let’s say each trial takes two weeks. Is that what you want us to do?” he asked.