Gov. John Kasich says to give President Trump a “chance”

During the hour-long panel discussion, Kasich refused to criticize Trump’s executive actions on immigration but defended U.S. alliances that Trump has been critical of, such as NATO.

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“These institutions, NATO, the World Bank, IMF, the United Nations for that matter, these were put in place after the horrors of World War II,” he said. “And it was really the western world coming together with a series of values that we have subscribed to.”

He said that the institutions however, “have not evolved as they should.”

“When institutions don’t change they become subject to attack,” he said, adding “these alliances are critical. I don’t think they’re going to go away.”

Still, Kasich seemed to take issue with the “America First” policy that Trump espoused during his inaugural address, insisting that the United States is “the leader of the west.”

“I happen to believe that as Americans we have an obligation to lead the world,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we’re saps or we allow people to not pull their fair share, but everything’s not a negotiation as far as I’m concerned.”

And though he refused to comment directly on Trump’s expected announcements regarding refugees, he said the nation can’t just ignore the challenge of refugees.

“The idea that we can just ignore the challenge of refugees doesn’t represent humanity in my opinion,” he said, while cautioning “we’ve got to make sure we know who’s coming here.”

Kasich, asked repeatedly to comment on Trump’s policies during the panel, said while it was too soon, he would be willing to hold Trump accountable when he needed to.

“When I agree with the president, I’m going to say I do, when I don’t agree, I’ll say that I don’t,” he said.