Advertisement

Trump dodges torture question at press conference

President Donald Trump has said his Secretary of Defense James Mattis will override any decision ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

19.03 27 Jan 2017


Share this article


Trump dodges torture question...

Trump dodges torture question at press conference

Newstalk
Newstalk

19.03 27 Jan 2017


Share this article


President Donald Trump has said his Secretary of Defense James Mattis will override any decision he makes on torture if he sees fit.

Responding to questions at a press conference he held with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, President Trump reiterated his view that torture does work, but said he will be going with the viewpoints of world leaders on the issue.

"We have a great general who has just been appointed Secretary of Defense [General James Mattis]", he said. "He has stated publicly that he does not necessarily agree with torture or waterboarding. I don't necessarily agree.

Advertisement

"But he will override because I am giving him that power. He's the general's general. I'm going to rely on him."

President Trump also addressed questions relating to Russia, saying he does not feel "good, bad or indifferent" towards Vladimir Putin.

"I don't know the gentleman. I hope we have a fantastic relationship - that's possible, and it's also possible that we won't. We'll see what happens."

Doonbeg

On Brexit, President Trump cited planning problems with his Doonbeg resort as a reason why the separation will be good for the UK.

The US President said that leaving the EU will be a "tremendous asset" for Britain, because it won't be constrained by EU laws.

Although European Directives are implemented through our legislation, the European Union does not have any direct involvement in the Irish planning process.

Mexico

The President confirmed he has spoken to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto today, after he cancelled a meeting with President Trump over his insistence that Mexico pay for the wall he intends to build along the border.

"We had a very good call. I have great respect for Mexico. I work with Mexican people all the time. But the United States cannot continue to lost vast amounts of business and companies and millions and millions of people losing their jobs.

"We're no longer going to be the country that doesn't know what it's doing."


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular