Mixed in with advice to students on the importance of being honest, upholding their beliefs and hard work, Johnson emphasized his record as the governor of New Mexico and the need to take the policies he used to balance the state budget to the federal level.

In the interview with The News & Advance, he emphasized his promise to submit a balanced budget to Congress within the first 100 days of taking office. In order to accomplish a balanced budget, he would cut spending 20 percent and reform Medicare and Medicaid.

“Continued spending by government is going to result at some point in runaway inflation,” he said. “If we don’t do it in my opinion then the nation will suffer the inflation that goes along with this.”

He pushed back against Trump’s call for a border wall, which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience at Liberty.

“This country is a country of immigration,” he said. “We should make it as easy as possible for people to cross the border and work. This would come with a work visa, a Social Security card and the taxes that come with that.”