Deepa Shivaram

he would challenge it in court.

Now, though, Trump says he doesn't think he needs to use that rarely utilized power anymore, but added, quote, if I needed it, I'd use it.

Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.

Back in 2022, Vasquez was arrested on bribery charges related to her 2020 gubernatorial campaign.

The Department of Justice accused her of accepting a $300,000 bribe to finance her re-election campaign, which she ultimately lost.

She claims the charges were politically motivated.

The White House claims the case against Vasquez is, quote, political prosecution.

The then governor of Puerto Rico endorsed Trump for president in 2020.

In his time in the White House, Trump has notably pardoned several political allies, including former elected officials and his own staff.

Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.

Earlier this week, the president proposed the idea of using the Insurrection Act to quell protests in Minneapolis that intensified after an ICE officer killed an American citizen, Renee Macklin Good.

He called the protesters, quote, professional agitators and insurrectionists.

and he said he could use the Insurrection Act to put an end to the backlash against ICE.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said that if Trump had invoked the act, he would challenge it in court.

Now, though, Trump says he doesn't think he needs to use that rarely utilized power anymore, but added, quote, if I needed it, I'd use it.

Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.

Despite Trump's historically low approval ratings on his handling of the economy, he continues to insist that the country is experiencing economic success.

Things like gas prices have decreased, but high prices of things like groceries and electricity remain a top concern for voters in this midterm election year.

For most of his speech, the president didn't even talk about the economy.

Instead, Trump touted military recruitment numbers, attacked Somali immigrants and former President Joe Biden, and encouraged protesters in Iran to, quote, take over your institutions.