By Katherine Tinsley
1:59pm PST, Jan 28, 2025
McEnany, who previously worked as Trump's press secretary, made it clear that the politician "means business" after becoming president for the second time.
"Trump comes along and then we get the art of the deal," the Harvard Law graduate said, in reference to Trump's book. "He's playing golf on various holes and threatening Colombia with tariffs and not backing down."
"An hour after his gold game, the Colombian president backs down and agrees to accept all migrants," she added.
Trump's plan to implement tariffs on foreign goods has been criticized by economists, as it makes items more expensive for American consumers and threatens trade. However, McEnany praised the reality star's choices.
"He sends a message to the E.U.," McEnany added.
In a Truth Social post shared on Sunday, January 26, Trump was candid about his disappointment with Petro's decision to deny Colombian migrants re-entry into the country.
"I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of illegal criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia," Trump wrote.
"This order was given by Colombia's Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people," he continued. "Petro's denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States."
The real estate tycoon threatened to not only impose a 25 percent tariff on Colombian goods, but ban Colombian government officials from traveling to the U.S.
"These measures are just the beginning," Trump stated. "We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States!"
Shortly after Trump announced his strategy, it was revealed the two nations had
come to an agreement.
"The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots who were going to arrive in the country today in the morning, coming from deportation flights," the Colombian government said in a statement. "This measure responds to the Government's commitment to guarantee decent conditions."
