US President Donald Trump | Photo by JIM WATSON / AFPWashington: US President Donald Trump has said that the only real constraint on his power on the world stage is his own morality, dismissing international law as a primary limitation on his actions. US President Donald Trump's Statement“There is one thing,” Trump said when pressed on checks to his authority. It’s the only thing that can stop me, and that’s very good.”When a reporter followed up by asking whether international law served as a constraint, Trump replied, “I don’t need international law,” adding that he was not looking to harm people but would act to protect US interests. He linked US authority abroad to deterrence and strength, rather than adherence to what he described as flexible interpretations of international law. International law still mattered in principle, but only to the extent it aligned with US security interests, said the president.

Source: International New York Times January 12, 2026 10:46 UTC