Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’

THE NEW YORK TIMES: On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities, not international law or treaties.

President Trump declared on Wednesday evening that his power as commander in chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” brushing aside international law and other checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world.

Asked in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times if there were any limits on his global powers, Mr. Trump said: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”

“I don’t need international law,” he added. “I’m not looking to hurt people.”

When pressed further about whether his administration needed to abide by international law, Mr. Trump said, “I do.” But he made clear he would be the arbiter when such constraints applied to the United States.

“It depends what your definition of international law is,” he said.

Mr. Trump’s assessment of his own freedom to use any instrument of military, economic or political power to cement American supremacy was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of his worldview. At its core is the concept that national strength, rather than laws, treaties and conventions, should be the deciding factor as powers collide. » | David E. Sanger, Tyler Pager, Katie Rogers and Zolan Kanno-Youngs | The reporters are White House correspondents for The Times. They interviewed President Trump in the Oval Office. | Thursday, January 8, 2026

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Such ARROGANCE! — © Mark Alexander

‘I Don’t Need International Law’: Trump Says Power Constrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’

THE GUARDIAN: President says morality ‘the only thing that can stop me’ in New York Times interview on limits to his authority

Donald Trump has said ‘I don’t need international law” and that his power is limited only by his “own morality”.

In a new interview with the New York Times, Trump said the only constraint to his power as president of the US is “my own morality, my own mind”.

“It’s the only thing that can stop me,” Trump said, adding: “I’m not looking to hurt people.” He went on to concede “I do” in regards to whether his administration needed to adhere to international law, but said: “It depends on what your definition of international law is.”

Trump, who spoke to the newspaper as his administration looks into “a range of options” in attempts to gain control of Greenland, also emphasized the importance of ownership.

“Ownership is very important,” Trump said, adding: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do with, you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.”

Trump also dismissed concerns that his decision to oust Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s president would set the precedent of a potential Chinese takeover of Taiwan or Russia’s attempt to control Ukraine. » | Maya Yang | Thursday, January 8, 2026

US Became Investigator & Judge; This Is a Violation of International Law – Bolivia UN Envoy on Syria Strike

Bolivia envoy slams US missile strike on a Syrian Army airbase after Russia calls for emergency UNSC meeting on the attack.

'Plea for Caution': Putin Warns against Diminishing International Law Rôle

It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts has become commonplace for the US, President Vladimir Putin said in an editorial for The New York Times. Putin however has welcomed Barack Obama's decision to develop a compromise on Syria

Related: Putin’s Op-Ed Piece »

'Russian Arms Sales to Syria OK under International Law' - Putin's Spokesperson

What will Russia do in case chemical strike is confirmed to have been carried out by the Syrian government? Or, in another scenario, what will happen if the US follows on with their strike intentions even without solid proof of Assad's guilt, or without much international support or approval of such a strike? What will Russia's response be? We talk to Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin: Russia Doesn't Defend Assad, We Defend International Law

Russia needs convincing proof, not rumors, from UN experts that chemical weapons were used in Syria, said the Russian president in an interview with First Channel and AP. It is up to the UN Security Council to decide on the next course of action, he said

'Not Even in Cold War’s Darkest Days': International Law Scrapped in Anti-Assange Crusade

Miliband Faces High Court Battle In UK Over Gaza Rights
THE GUARDIAN: Lawyers for Palestinian families claim foreign secretary's failure to ban arms sales to Israel flouted international law

The foreign secretary, David Miliband, has acted "in flagrant and continuing breach of international law" in failing to suspend arms exports to Israel, the high court will be told.

In what is thought to be the first legal challenge resulting from Israel's operation in Gaza, lawyers representing more than 30 Palestinian families have accused Miliband, along with the ministers for defence and business, of acting illegally by failing to suspend arms sales and government assistance after alleged Israeli human rights violations.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Palestinian charity Al-Haq said the case would be the first of numerous actions brought against Israel, as activity is stepped up to examine the humanitarian and financial cost of recent events.

"The UK has urgent international obligations that it must fulfil immediately," Phil Shiner, the lawyer representing Al-Haq, said today.

A Foreign Office statement said the claims made on behalf of Al-Haq were "wholly inapt" for resolution in the UK courts and insisted "the government continues to work hard in an effort to secure peace in the Middle East".

"Britain has some of the tightest regulations in the world for arms sales," the statement adds.

"The government monitors the situation in Israel with care in considering applications for arms export licences."

A high court judge will examine the papers in the case and decide within seven days whether it should proceed. >>> Afua Hirsch and David Pallister | Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback - UK)

Miliband Urges Russia to ‘Abide by Law’
BBC: Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said Russian recognition of Georgia's breakaway regions is "unjustifiable and unacceptable".

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has declared he formally recognises South Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence.

But Mr Miliband urged Russia to "abide by international law as the basis for resolving this crisis".

Moscow's move has been criticised by the US, France and Germany. Nato says it violates UN resolutions. UK Urges Russia to ‘Abide by Law’ >>> | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>