In a recent interview with NBC's “Meet the Press,” President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty regarding his obligations to uphold due process rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. When questioned about whether both U.S. citizens and noncitizens are entitled to these rights, Trump responded, “I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know.” This statement has raised eyebrows among critics who argue that Trump is undermining fundamental legal protections.
The controversy stems from the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, who has been imprisoned without communication. Critics highlight that Trump's administration has attempted to use this deportation as an example in his ongoing campaign against illegal immigration. Despite a Supreme Court ruling mandating the return of Abrego Garcia to the U.S., Trump maintains that he is focused on deporting “some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth.” He lamented that the courts are obstructing his efforts, stating, “I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it.”
During the interview, Trump also discussed his previous comments about making Canada the “51st state.” While he has been vocal about his intentions, he tempered his rhetoric, stating that military force to achieve this goal is “highly unlikely.” This statement comes just ahead of a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, where tensions over Trump's comments have been palpable.
Trump’s approach remains more uncertain regarding Greenland, which he believes is crucial for both national security and international security. He remarked, “Something could happen with Greenland,” suggesting that the U.S. may pursue acquiring the territory without military action. However, he was clear in his belief that military intervention is not on the table for Canada.
On the economic front, Trump characterized the U.S. economy as being in a “transition period” but confidently predicted it would perform “fantastically.” He dismissed growing concerns about a potential recession, which some Wall Street analysts have suggested is increasingly likely. “Well, you know, you say, some people on Wall Street say,” Trump countered. He insisted that many analysts believe the economy could become the greatest in history. Trump attributed the recent 0.3% decline in the U.S. economy to the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden, asserting, “I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he’s done a terrible job.”
Addressing previous comments about children potentially needing fewer toys due to tariffs, Trump clarified his stance, suggesting that children do not require excessive quantities of items like dolls or pencils, thereby downplaying the impact of tariffs on supply shortages.
Despite the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution limiting presidents to two terms, Trump hinted at the possibility of a third term, claiming substantial support for such a move. However, he also stated, “But this is not something I’m looking to do,” emphasizing his focus on completing a successful four-year term before passing the baton to a likely Republican successor.
His comments about a potential third term often seem designed to provoke reactions from the political left. The Trump Organization has even begun selling merchandise, such as red caps emblazoned with “Trump 2028.” In a previous phone interview, Trump remarked, “I’m not joking. There are methods which you could do it,” regarding the feasibility of a third-term run.
When discussing potential successors, Trump praised Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, labeling them as capable leaders. However, he asserted that it is “far too early” to delve into discussions about his eventual successor. Trump expressed confidence in the future of his Make America Great Again movement, noting a wealth of talent within the Republican Party while contrasting this with a lack of identifiable leaders among Democrats.
