In a recent interview aired on NBC’s Meet the Press, President Donald Trump was asked directly whether he believes he is obligated to uphold the U.S. Constitution. His response was a striking and ambiguous “I don’t know,” raising concerns about his view of presidential duties and constitutional constraints. When pressed on whether American citizens and non-citizens alike are entitled to due process under the Constitution, Trump again replied, “I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” suggesting uncertainty about fundamental legal protections guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
Trump framed his stance in the context of his administration’s aggressive efforts to deport undocumented immigrants rapidly, arguing that providing due process to millions of individuals would require “a million or two million or three million trials,” which he considers impractical. He emphasized his commitment to removing what he described as dangerous criminals, including murderers and drug traffickers, from the country as part of what he calls the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Despite these remarks, Trump stated that his legal team would “obviously follow what the Supreme Court has stated,” though his administration has frequently clashed with federal courts over immigration policies.
The president’s comments come amid ongoing legal battles, including the administration’s controversial use of a rarely invoked 1798 wartime statute to expedite deportations of alleged gang members, a move challenged in the courts. Trump’s apparent dismissal of constitutional obligations and due process rights has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, constitutional scholars, and civil rights advocates, who warn that such a stance undermines the rule of law and the foundational principles of American democracy.
Moreover, Trump’s remarks reflect a broader pattern in his second term, where he appears to reject traditional limits on presidential power, acting as if compliance with constitutional norms is discretionary rather than mandatory. This posture fuels concerns about unchecked executive authority and the potential erosion of institutional checks and balances. The president also downplayed speculation about a third term, stating he is “not looking to do” so, but his uncertainty about constitutional requirements adds to the controversy surrounding his administration’s approach to governance and the rule of law
