During an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about whether he is required to defend the U.S. Constitution in his role as president. While highlighting his administration's efforts to expel immigrants, journalist Kristen Welker asked if he believed he needed to protect the Constitution. His response was, "I don't know," but he mentioned that his legal team "will obviously follow what the Supreme Court said."
Trump elaborated, "I have to respond by saying, once again, that I have brilliant lawyers working for me, and they will obviously adhere to what the Supreme Court has decided." This statement followed a series of questions regarding the due process rights of individuals residing in the United States and the Fifth Amendment.
Immigration and Legal Challenges
During the interview, Trump reiterated his intention to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, whom he described as "some of the worst people on Earth." He claimed, "I was elected to get them out of here, and the courts are stopping me," echoing a previous argument blaming American judges for hindering some of his aggressive immigration policies.
When pressed on whether his administration respects the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, which states that no person "shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law," Trump expressed uncertainty. "I don't know. It seems—you could say that, but if you're talking about that, then we would have to have 1 million or 2 million or 3 million trials," he remarked. "We have thousands of people who are murderers and drug dealers, some of the worst people on Earth."
Economic Policies and Tariff Strategy
On economic matters, Trump placed blame on former President Joe Biden for the "bad parts" of the economy, while crediting himself for the "good parts." "Ultimately, I take responsibility for everything," Trump told Welker when pressed. "But I've only been here a little over three months."
The president also defended his tariff policies, which have roiled financial markets and increased the risk of a recession. He suggested that tariffs could be a permanent fixture: "Tariffs are going to make us rich. We are going to be a very wealthy country."
When questioned about whether a short-term recession might benefit the country in the long run, Trump described the current period as transformative. "We are in what I've called a transition period. I think we're going to do fantastically," he responded.
Executive Order on Sanctuary Jurisdictions
In a recent move to bolster his anti-immigration stance, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting so-called sanctuary jurisdictions—states and cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The order instructs the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to create and maintain an updated list of these areas.
Trump's decision was accompanied by a carefully orchestrated presentation aimed at reinforcing the narrative that undocumented immigrants pose a threat to national security.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's Stance on the Constitution and Immigration
What did Trump say about his obligation to defend the Constitution?
Trump expressed uncertainty about whether he is required to defend the Constitution as president, stating, "I don't know," but noted that his legal team would follow Supreme Court rulings.
How does Trump view the Fifth Amendment in relation to immigration policies?
Trump was unsure about the application of the Fifth Amendment, which guarantees due process, in the context of deporting undocumented immigrants. He suggested that enforcing it could require millions of trials.
What are Trump's views on tariffs and their impact on the economy?
Trump believes tariffs will make the U.S. wealthy and sees them as potentially permanent, despite concerns about financial market disruptions and recession risks.