In an interview with NBC News and The Des Moines Register, Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate vying for the Republican nomination, expressed his belief that he is the best choice to lead the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement into the future. Ramaswamy, while praising former President Donald Trump and his policies, also suggested that he could push them further or implement them better.

Ramaswamy highlighted the challenges that Trump faced during his presidency, including indictments and legal battles for ballot access. He argued that he is better positioned to withstand these obstacles, stating, "They don't have on me what they have on him." Ramaswamy has pledged to support Trump in his fight against efforts to remove him from the ballot in certain states.

While Ramaswamy has criticized some of Trump's policies, such as his focus on a southern border wall, he has predominantly positioned himself as a supporter of the former president and his movement. However, he also emphasized that choosing a leader to carry the America First movement to the next level is a separate decision, one where he believes he is best positioned to lead.

The candidate defended his sharing of fringe theories about the January 6th riots and other events, stating that he is sharing his true convictions and seeking to uncover the "truth" behind government-related conspiracy theories. Ramaswamy's campaign slogan is "Truth," reflecting his commitment to transparency in a bid to revive the constitutional republic.

In a recent endorsement, Ramaswamy received support from former Rep. Steve King, despite controversies surrounding King's racist remarks. Ramaswamy expressed his pride in having King's endorsement and dismissed the comments attributed to him in a 2019 New York Times story.

Ramaswamy also revealed that he would pardon Trump if elected president, as the former president currently faces indictments in multiple jurisdictions. However, he made it clear that investigations into President Joe Biden's administration, including the business dealings of his son Hunter Biden, should continue.

While recent polls show Ramaswamy trailing behind Trump in terms of support from likely Republican caucusgoers, he remains confident in his ability to attract voters who favor Trump's policies. Ramaswamy sees himself as an outsider who can break the system when necessary while also having a deep understanding of the law and the Constitution of the United States.

As the Iowa caucuses approach, Ramaswamy aims to strike a delicate balance between appealing to Trump supporters and presenting himself as a leader who can take the MAGA movement to new heights. Only time will tell if his positioning resonates with Republican voters and allows him to gain ground within the party's primary race.