Egypt Daily News – U.S. President Donald Trump ignited a wide-ranging debate after stating that he “doesn’t know” whether he is required to respect the U.S. Constitution. The comment, made during an interview with NBC News, raised fresh concerns about his approach to executive power and the potential erosion of institutional checks and balances.
When asked directly on Sunday whether he believes he must abide by the Constitution, Trump responded, “I don’t know.” He added that his legal team would ultimately rely on Supreme Court decisions. While brief, the comment reinforced existing worries over Trump’s assertive view of presidential authority since returning to the White House in January.
Since then, Trump has signed more than 140 executive orders, many focused on tightening immigration controls, dismantling diversity and inclusion programs, and shrinking the federal bureaucracy. However, several of these orders have been blocked by federal courts — most notably his attempt to invoke the 1798 “Alien Enemies Act” to deport suspected gang-affiliated migrants without judicial oversight. The legal setbacks have frustrated Trump, who sees the judiciary as a barrier to implementing his policy agenda.
Asked about due process rights for citizens and non-citizens, Trump said, “I’m not a lawyer, I don’t know,” triggering further concern among civil liberties advocates.
Some experts have warned that such statements signal a creeping authoritarian tendency. When moderator Kristen Welker pressed Trump on whether he was steering the country toward authoritarianism, he sidestepped the question, instead pointing to his electoral victory and popular support.
The interview coincided with domestic calls urging Trump to rein in executive overreach. Courts have temporarily halted the use of executive orders to forcibly deport migrants to El Salvador, while human rights groups have criticized his administration’s policies as punitive.
He did, however, affirm that Americans can “criticize me” without fear of retaliation — though he also labeled some critics as “bad actors.”
A significant portion of the interview touched on the possibility of Trump seeking a third term, which is constitutionally prohibited by the 22nd Amendment. Trump acknowledged that the idea had come up in the past but said his goal now is “four great years” followed by handing over power to “a great Republican,” hinting at Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors.
Legal experts noted that altering the Constitution to allow a third term would require approval by two-thirds of both congressional chambers and ratification by 38 states — an extremely difficult path. Still, observers have not ruled out Trump testing the boundaries of constitutional limits through novel legal strategies.
The interview also addressed foreign policy, with Trump reiterating sharp criticism of former President Joe Biden, blaming him for economic “mismanagement.” Official data shows the U.S. economy slowed in the first quarter of 2025 after a strong finish to 2024.
The President concluded by expressing his willingness to pressure Canada over trade imbalances. While he did not rule out annexation outright, he called the use of force “highly unlikely.”
