Taken together, Trump’s words and actions amount to a direct challenge to the international order established after World War II. When pressed on whether the United States must comply with international law, Trump offered a nominal affirmation but immediately qualified it by saying compliance depended on “what your definition of international law is”. AdvertisementSuch views run counter to the principle that states may not invoke domestic law as a justification for violating international law. This “America first” mindset is a form of American exceptionalism, one in which domestic power overrides international obligations. Such actions violate Article 2 of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force, and contradict the principle of immunity typically afforded to sitting heads of state under customary international law.

Source: International New York Times January 24, 2026 21:32 UTC