Political advisor Peter Navarro praised President Donald Trump during an Oval Office press conference, crediting the commander-in-chief with performing a “miracle” at the southern border while promoting a new executive order targeting tariff evasion.
Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown ‘miracle’
Navarro, a longtime Trump adviser, applauded the administration’s immigration crackdown before pivoting to the trade-focused order Trump was preparing to sign.
“Sir, you did a miracle when you came in! You shut that border down in a matter of days, to end a flood of millions of illegal aliens,” Navarro said, adding, “A secure America is a safe America.”
Navarro said the executive order will empower customs officials to target “tariff evaders” and illegal goods entering the United States. He estimated the measure could save $15 billion in its first year and as much as $100 billion over time.
“Plus, we’ll stop the fentanyl coming in,” Navarro claimed.
Donald Trump’s new customs enforcement effort
Navarro continued praising Trump’s trade and border policies while describing the administration’s broader goals.
“This is a message to the world today when you sign this: There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,” Navarro said. “This is what Donald Trump does. He secures our borders — not just physically, but in terms of trade.”
Navarro added that the new customs enforcement effort will be “awesome.”
Trump appeared pleased with the remarks, thanking Navarro twice before beginning his own comments.
The Trump administration fawns over the president
The exchange is similar to other moments in which senior administration officials have publicly praised Trump during official events.
Earlier this year, adviser Stephen Miller delivered an extended tribute to the president during a Memphis roundtable discussion on crime, crediting Trump’s “vision, courage and determination” for what he described as major reductions in violent crime and illegal immigration.
Trump responded favorably at the time, joking that FBI Director Kash Patel should try to surpass Miller’s praise.
