Former US President Donald Trump has made a series of stark declarations about the limits of presidential power, stating he does not "need international law" and that his authority would be constrained solely by his "own morality."
'My own mind' as the only constraint
The comments were made during a new interview with the New York Times, where Trump was questioned on the potential boundaries of his actions if he were to return to the Oval Office. He asserted that the only check on his power would be "my own morality, my own mind."
"It's the only thing that can stop me," Trump stated, adding, "I'm not looking to hurt people." When pressed on whether his administration would need to adhere to international law, he initially conceded "I do," but then immediately qualified his statement by saying, "It depends on what your definition of international law is."
Ownership psychology and global precedents
The interview, conducted as his team explored options regarding Greenland, saw Trump emphasise the psychological importance of ownership. "Ownership is very important," he said, arguing it provides elements unattainable through leases or treaties. "Ownership gives you things and elements that you can't get from just signing a document," he told the newspaper.
Trump also dismissed concerns that his administration's push to oust Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela could set a precedent for Chinese action against Taiwan or Russian ambitions in Ukraine. Justifying US policy, he repeated claims that Maduro had sent gang members into the United States.
"This was a real threat … You didn't have people pouring into China. You didn't have drugs pouring into China," Trump said, contrasting the situations. On Taiwan, he expressed personal confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would not act while he was president, stating, "I would be very unhappy if he did that and I don't think he'll do that."
Arms control and domestic context
Showing a dismissive attitude towards the last major arms control treaty with Russia, which expires next month, Trump remarked, "If it expires, it expires. We'll just do a better agreement." He suggested that future pacts should include China and other global players.
This wide-ranging interview emerges against a backdrop of growing domestic tensions, including protests following an ICE shooting in Minneapolis, and increasingly strained relations with European allies over the potential US interest in acquiring Greenland.
The former president's candid remarks offer a clear insight into his perceived framework for executive authority, one that places personal judgement above established international legal structures and diplomatic norms.
