In his first interview since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump suggested potential legal action against former president Joe Biden and defended the pardons of January 6 rioters.
The interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity was in the Oval Office.
Trump took a combative stance on multiple issues, including potential investigations, water management in California, and the prosecutions stemming from January 6.
Trump left open the possibility of investigating Biden, stating it would be "hard to say that they shouldn't have to go through it "while also saying he was "against that with presidents."
Speaking about his legal challenges, Trump said he "went through four years of hell" and spent millions in legal fees, suggesting Biden took "bad advice" by not pardoning himself.
Trump defended his decision to pardon approximately 1,500 individuals involved with January 6, calling the prosecutions a "political hoax" and arguing that most participants were "absolutely innocent."
The National Fraternal Order of Police expressed deep discouragement with Trump's blanket pardons, saying they "send a dangerous message" about accountability for violent actions.
Trump claimed the rioters were "treated so badly" and were primarily "protesting a rigged election."
Trump suggested most were "patriotic citizens" unfairly attacked by the mainstream media.
Beyond legal issues, Trump threatened to withhold federal disaster funding from California unless Governor Gavin Newsom releases water resources to combat wildfires.
There's been a long-standing dispute between the two politicians.
He also criticized Democrat-controlled cities, such as Philadelphia and Los Angeles, for their leniency of criminals.
Trump repeated allegations that Biden could profit from family connections, though he provided no concrete evidence to support these claims.
When pressed about potential investigations into Biden or Hillary Clinton, Trump said he was using restraint and hinted at possible legal actions.
The interview showed the ongoing political tensions in Washington and Trump's continued influence within the Republican Party.
As Trump begins his second presidential term, this interview with Hannity provided a look into his political strategy for the next four years.
