'Only my morality can stop me': Trump claims sweeping war powers, says he doesn’t 'need international law'

In a wide-ranging interview, the president cast strength—not treaties—as the guiding principle of U.S. action, raising fresh questions about global norms and domestic checks.

• Trump claims his authority is limited by "own morality," not international law.
• He prioritizes national strength, dismissing multilateral treaty constraints.
• Trump claims recent actions show strong leadership and exceptional freedom.

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President Donald Trump said on Wednesday night that his authority as commander in chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” dismissing international law and other external checks on the use of U.S. military, economic and political power.

Asked in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times whether there were limits on his global powers, Trump said: “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” He added: “I don’t need international law.”

Strength over rules

Pressed on whether his administration must abide by international law, Trump said, “I do,” but insisted he would decide when such constraints apply. “It depends what your definition of international law is,” he said.

The remarks amount to his most explicit articulation yet of a worldview that places national strength above treaties and conventions. The approach contrasts with the post-World War II system the United States helped build, which relies on alliances, norms and law to constrain great-power conflict.

Coercive diplomacy on display

Trump said he uses unpredictability, and a willingness to act quickly with force, to coerce other nations. During the interview, he took a call from Gustavo Petro, after repeated threats that the U.S. might target Colombia following the strike in Venezuela.

“Well, we are in danger,” Petro told The Times shortly before the call, saying the threat was “real.”

The episode came hours after Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew the United States from dozens of international organizations, underscoring a turn away from multilateral constraints.

Recent actions cited

Trump pointed to the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear program, the operation that removed Nicolás Maduro, and renewed interest in Greenland as evidence of decisive leadership. He suggested NATO’s value rests primarily on U.S. participation and declined to choose between preserving the alliance and acquiring Greenland, acknowledging “it may be a choice.”

“Ownership is very important,” he said of Greenland, arguing possession delivers advantages beyond treaties or leases—even though Denmark, a NATO ally, controls the territory.

Double standard for rivals

Trump dismissed the idea that China or Russia could invoke similar logic against U.S. interests. He argued the U.S. role as “protector of the West” justified exceptional freedom of action, while downplaying concerns that Venezuela set a precedent for China and Russia.

Asked about Taiwan, Trump said Xi Jinping would not move while he is president. He expressed little concern that Vladimir V. Putin could exploit the precedent, insisting Venezuela posed a unique threat.

NATO, arms control and time pressure

Trump reiterated claims that he forced NATO allies to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, though the target includes domestic infrastructure and does not apply until 2035. He also appeared unconcerned that the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control agreement expires in four weeks. “If it expires, it expires,” he said, proposing a future deal that would include China.

Domestic checks, and workarounds

At home, Trump said courts can restrain him only “under certain circumstances.” He suggested that if the Supreme Court of the United States struck down tariffs imposed under emergency powers, he could repackage them as licensing fees.

He also reiterated willingness to invoke the Insurrection Act and federalize National Guard units to deploy troops domestically if he deemed it necessary. “So far,” he said, “I haven’t really felt the need to do it.”