Trump and Homeland Secretary Kristjen Nielsen repeatedly claimed that only Congress could stop the family separation at the border. Trump signed an executive order changing that on June 20, 2018.
The accusation came at a NATO summit after Trump had questioned ongoing US military presence in Germany. He based his claim on Germany’s import of Russian oil and natural gas. Most of Europe has long purchased Russian fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, given the expense of having it shipped overseas. The US was also a net importer of oil and had until recently had also been a net importer of natural gas.
Politico EU – Trump Tips Into Germany at NATO Chief Breakfast
US Energy Information Administration – Oil Imports and Exports
US Energy Information Administration – United States has been a net exporter of natural gas for more than 12 consecutive months
Trump made the remark at a G7 meeting, which includes 5 other NATO members. He has repeatedly attacked and cast doubt on the organization’s future. NATO is a mutual defense treaty created to defend against the Soviet Union, which includes 29 members across North America and Europe. NAFTA is a free trade agreement instituted in the 90s between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The two have no connection.
The Hill – Trump told G-7 leaders that ‘NATO is as bad as NAFTA’: report
Axios – Scoop: Trump’s private NATO trashing rattles allies
The Washington Post – Trump misunderstands NATO so badly, he thinks Brazil could be part of it
He explained during the speech to the National Federation of Independent Businesses,
The tariffs to get common items back into Canada are so high that they have to smuggle them in. They buy shoes, then they wear them. They scuff them up. They make them sound old or look old.
Trump was referencing a New York Post opinion article in which the Canadian author describes a personal experience obtaining cheaper shoes from the United States:
A Toronto-based designer I know purchased two pairs of shoes (retail $800 each) online from a midtown department store and shipped them to my office. The Italian contraband sat under my desk for weeks until I could entrust them to a carrier who would be crossing the border. I finally convinced my nephew who had been visiting New York to stuff them into his back-pack and rendezvous with the designer in Toronto for the drop-off. My friend saved $159.59 in combined federal and provincial taxes, and $187.26 in estimated customs charges.
New York Post – Why Canadians will never give up American products
Slate – Trump Explains That “You Have to Take the Children Away” in Unhinged Speech to Small-Business Owners
Snopes – Did President Trump Say That Canadians Smuggle Shoes Out of the United States?
The remarks were in reference to any potential charges stemming from the Special Council investigating Russian interference in US elections. While asserting his right to pardon himself, he denied any wrongdoing.
Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution explicitly states that the President “shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”
Time – President Trump Says He Can Pardon Himself. Most Voters Disagree
The Washington Post – Trump says he has ‘absolute right’ to pardon himself of federal crimes but denies any wrongdoing
Interactive Constitution – Article II, Executive Branch
Trump made the remarks after a G7 summit where he accused the world of using the United States as a “piggy bank that everybody is robbing.” Photos of the event show contentious interactions between the world leaders, including one in particular from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s official Instagram account.
New York Magazine – Trump Threatens to End All Trade With Allies
Chicago Tribune – Trump appears to forget words to National Anthem and ‘God Bless America’
BBC News – Trump accused of not knowing words to God Bless America
Within a day of offering a White House invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles for becoming the 2017 NFL season Super Bowl champions, it was rescinded after several members said they wouldn’t attend. Trump has prepared platters of fast food for other visiting teams.
USA Today – President Trump cancels White House invitation for Super Bowl champion Eagles
NBC Sports – Eagles release statement after invite to White House rescinded
Trump had made previous references to his “large brain,” such as when he said he was consulting with himself on foreign policy.
