During an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz addressed rumors surrounding potential plans involving Canada, stating that President Donald Trump does not have any intention of invading the country. Waltz’s comments come in response to reports claiming that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed concerns about the U.S. administration’s supposed interest in absorbing Canada and making it the 51st state. Waltz also highlighted dissatisfaction among Canadians with the recent governance under Trudeau, emphasizing a shift towards American leadership in the Western Hemisphere. The discussion touched on various topics, from Arctic security to the Panama Canal, with Waltz underscoring the importance of reasserting U.S. influence in the region.
President Trump has previously mentioned ambitions such as annexing Greenland and regaining control of the Panama Canal, echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In an interview with Fox News, Trump confirmed his belief that Canada becoming a U.S. state could benefit both countries economically. Waltz further discussed the administration’s efforts to cut spending in federal agencies like the Department of Defense, emphasizing the need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in government operations.
Regarding the identification of wasteful spending, Trump mentioned involving Elon Musk in the process, sparking discussions about Musk’s role and trustworthiness in the matter. Despite questions about Musk’s capacity and focus, Trump expressed confidence in his abilities. Recent developments have seen Musk and his company, SpaceX, exploring cost-saving measures in various government agencies, including the Department of Defense.
The comments made by Waltz on Sunday were centered around USAID’s actions, which he believed were not aligned with the strategic interests or vision of the president. Waltz expressed concern that only a fraction of the aid actually reaches those in need due to inefficiencies in the distribution process involving various contractors. He emphasized the need to refocus USAID’s mission to better reflect the president’s foreign policy objectives.
Regarding humanitarian aid and its implications on global influence, Waltz dismissed the notion that reducing aid would empower China and Russia on the world stage. He stressed the importance of revising the aid strategy to ensure it aligns with the president’s vision and goals.
While declining to comment on the specifics of President Trump’s discussion with Russian President Putin, Waltz reiterated the administration’s commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine. He mentioned plans to recover the costs of military aid by exploring partnerships with Ukraine in utilizing their natural resources and potentially purchasing American resources.
Looking ahead to post-conflict scenarios, Waltz emphasized the responsibility of European nations in managing the aftermath of the conflict. He pointed out that security guarantees would predominantly fall within the domain of European nations once the conflict is resolved.
