A post on Saturday by President Donald Trump on his social media accounts, including X and TruthSocial, has ignited a wave of criticism from Democrats and political critics. They accused Trump of behaving like a dictator and asserting himself as being above the law.
In his post, Trump stated, "He who saves his Country does not violate any Law." The statement was not further elaborated upon, and the White House refrained from commenting. However, the White House did share the post on its X account, alongside Trump's mug shot from the Fulton County, Georgia, election interference case.
Trump also shared the quote on his Truth Social platform, accompanied by a user's post featuring the quote alongside a portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback. The quote is often attributed to Napoleon, although the origins remain disputed. A similar phrase, "He who saves a nation violates no law," was famously said by actor Rod Steiger in the 1970 movie "Waterloo" while portraying Napoleon.
Since assuming office, several actions taken by Trump's administration have faced scrutiny over their legality. His administration is currently dealing with numerous lawsuits and accusations of violating the U.S. Constitution. Notable issues include executive orders on freezing foreign aid and Elon Musk's controversial decisions as head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump holds the distinction of being the first current or former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. Last month, a judge, citing the protections afforded to the office of the president, sentenced him to an unconditional discharge in a criminal hush money case. This decision spared him from punishment but solidified his status as a felon.
Trump's post on Saturday provoked strong backlash from Democrats, who accused him of using the presidency to justify unlawful or ethically questionable actions. California Sen. Adam Schiff reacted on X, stating, "Spoken like a true dictator."
Similarly, Democratic New York Rep. Ritchie Torres criticized Trump's post, asserting, "Donald Trump seems to believe he can do whatever he wishes in the name of 'saving the country.' In our constitutional republic, the means matter more than the ends. The US Constitution trumps the policy preferences of President Trump."
In an interview on ABC News' "This Week," former RNC Chair Reince Priebus, who served as Trump's first chief of staff during his initial term, downplayed the president's words, describing the post as "catnip for the media."
Priebus suggested that the post was mere trolling, explaining, "It's entertainment for Trump. It's a distraction." He characterized the president's actions as akin to "taking a grenade out on a Saturday afternoon, throwing it on the floor and watching everybody react."
Priebus concluded by noting, "This is what the president does."
