- ‘I Don’t Need International Law’: Cites Personal Morality as Sole Limit
- The interview comes as Trump’s administration has pursued controversial foreign policy actions
- On the question of Greenland, Trump has reiterated that the U.S. must secure the territory “whether they like it or not”
United States President Donald Trump has said his authority as commander-in-chief is constrained not by international law but by his own personal sense of morality, in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times published Thursday, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Asked whether there were limits on his global powers, Trump replied: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”
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He added, “I don’t need international law,” though when pressed he also said his administration does follow international law but suggested its application depends on how it is defined.
The interview comes as Trump’s administration has pursued controversial foreign policy actions, including recent military pressure in Venezuela and renewed interest in control of Greenland.
In comments reported separately, Trump stressed the strategic importance of Greenland, saying the United States must prevent China or Russia from gaining influence there and that full ownership, not just alliances or leases, is crucial for defence.
Trump’s remarks on international law reflect an expansive view of presidential power that has drawn international concern. European leaders and analysts have warned that framing sovereignty and security around unilateral decisions rather than established global rules could undermine long-standing global norms.
On the question of Greenland, Trump has reiterated that the U.S. must secure the territory “whether they like it or not” to block influence by rival powers, but Denmark and Greenland’s leadership have firmly rejected suggestions that the island is for sale or could be ceded.
In the interview, Trump also addressed geopolitical tensions, saying he did not expect China’s President Xi Jinping to attempt a take-over of Taiwan while he remains in office, but that it was a matter for Xi to decide.
Trump’s comments have surfaced amid heightened domestic debates over executive power, international engagement and the role of U.S. leadership in global affairs and come at a time when alliances such as NATO are assessing the impacts of U.S. diplomatic postures.
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