Isabella Carter
Former US President Donald Trump has made a series of comments that have raised questions about his commitment to upholding the US Constitution. In a TV interview, Trump said he didn't know if he needed to abide by constitutional due process rights when it came to giving immigrants the right of due process in the context of his mass deportation agenda. He also expressed uncertainty about whether he could seek a third term, which is prohibited by a constitutional amendment, and made controversial statements about potentially using military force to acquire Greenland and Canada. While Trump acknowledged constitutional constraints, his remarks suggest a willingness to push the boundaries of presidential power and interpret the Constitution in ways that align with his political agenda.
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What You'll Learn
Trump's stance on the US Constitution and due process
In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, US President Donald Trump stated that he was unsure whether he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to granting immigrants the right to due process. When asked if citizens and noncitizens in the United States were entitled to due process, Trump replied, "I don't know. I'm not a lawyer."
Trump's comments come amidst legal challenges to his administration's aggressive deportation campaign and questions about the president's obligation to provide due process. Trump has attacked judges, called for their impeachment, and ignored a Supreme Court ruling directing his administration to facilitate the return of a migrant wrongfully sent to a prison for terrorists.
Trump's ambiguity on this issue may be due to his focus on pursuing his mass deportation agenda by any means necessary. He argued that guaranteeing due process for all would slow down his administration's efforts to deport millions of people. However, he acknowledged that serving a third term as president would be unconstitutional, despite some supporters' calls for him to do so.
Trump's comments on due process and the Constitution have sparked concerns about his commitment to the rule of law and the protection of individual rights guaranteed by the US Constitution. His stance on this issue remains unclear, and his actions as president have often raised questions about his interpretation and respect for constitutional norms.
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Trump's deportation strategy and the Fifth Amendment
In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, US President Donald Trump stated that he was unsure whether he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to providing due process rights to noncitizens facing deportation. Trump's response, "I don't know," came in the context of his administration's aggressive mass deportation strategy, which aimed to deport millions of people over the next four years.
Trump's comments raised concerns about his commitment to the rule of law and respect for constitutional rights. When asked about the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of due process, Trump acknowledged the potential burden of providing individual hearings for a large number of deportation cases but expressed frustration with the court system, blaming "activist judges" for hindering his administration's efforts.
Trump's deportation strategy has faced significant legal challenges, with groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) suing the administration over its plan to expand fast-track deportations without a fair legal process. The Supreme Court has emphasized the right of due process for individuals facing deportation, even invoking rare laws like the Alien Enemies Act to halt deportations.
Trump's close adviser, Stephen Miller, has criticized rulings upholding the due process rights of immigrants, particularly those deemed "terrorists" or "gang members" by the administration. However, judges appointed by Trump and other presidents have warned about the erosion of due process caused by the administration's mass deportation campaign, expressing concern that it could expand beyond noncitizens to affect Americans as well.
While Trump's administration has pursued an aggressive deportation agenda, it has faced obstacles in meeting its goals due to legal challenges and constitutional constraints. The impact of Trump's policies on the immigration system is likely to be significant, even if the administration falls short of its target of 1 million deportations per year.
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Trump's views on a third presidential term
In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, US President Donald Trump denied that he is considering a third presidential term, stating that he will be a two-term president and that he believes this is very important. Trump acknowledged that many people have requested that he consider seeking a third term, but he claimed that it is not something he is looking to do. He also listed potential Republican successors, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump's comments come amidst speculation about his intentions, fuelled by his company, The Trump Organization, selling "Trump 2028" hats. In a previous interview with NBC News, Trump stated that he was “not joking” about wanting to serve a third term, suggesting that there were methods to make it possible. He also claimed that he had been asked by many people to consider a third term. However, he later backtracked, saying that his statements were meant to troll the "fake news media".
Legal experts agree that a third presidential term for Trump would be banned under the US Constitution's 22nd Amendment, which states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice". Changing this would require approval from two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as three-quarters of state-level governments. Despite this, some of Trump's supporters have expressed their desire for him to serve another term. Steve Bannon, a former Trump strategist, called for the president to run again during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Trump's stance on a third term appears to be influenced by his understanding of constitutional constraints. In interviews, he has questioned whether he needs to uphold the US Constitution, specifically regarding due process rights for immigrants facing deportation. Trump's deportation plans have been criticised for potentially violating the Fifth Amendment right to due process, which guarantees certain rights to accused individuals. However, Trump has suggested that he will follow the interpretations and rulings of the Supreme Court on these matters.
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Trump's understanding of the US Constitution and the law
In May 2025, Donald Trump stated in an interview that he did not know whether he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to giving immigrants the right to due process. When asked if citizens and noncitizens in the United States were entitled to due process, Trump replied, "I don't know. I'm not, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know."
Trump's response sparked controversy, as it called into question his understanding of and commitment to upholding the US Constitution and the rule of law. The Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees due process for all persons, regardless of citizenship status. By expressing uncertainty about this well-established legal principle, Trump suggested a lack of familiarity with fundamental constitutional rights.
Trump's comments were made in the context of his aggressive deportation campaign, which aimed to deport millions of people over the next four years. He argued that adhering to due process rights would significantly slow down his mass deportation program, indicating a potential willingness to prioritize his policy goals over constitutional guarantees. This raised concerns about the potential erosion of constitutional protections for marginalized groups, particularly immigrants.
Trump's stance on constitutional interpretation and the role of the judiciary also came under scrutiny. While he acknowledged that he had "brilliant lawyers" who would follow the Supreme Court's rulings, he suggested that there could be different interpretations of those rulings. This statement highlighted a potential disregard for the separation of powers and the checks and balances inherent in the US constitutional system.
Trump's understanding of constitutional constraints on presidential term limits was also called into question during his presidency. Despite acknowledging that a third term would be prohibited by a constitutional amendment, he entertained the idea of seeking one, with his supporters even introducing a resolution to amend the Constitution to allow for a third term. This suggested a willingness to challenge established constitutional norms and a potential overreach of executive power.
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Trump's interpretation of the Supreme Court's rulings
In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty regarding his obligation to uphold the US Constitution, specifically in relation to providing due process rights for immigrants. When asked if citizens and noncitizens in the United States were entitled to due process, Trump responded, "I don't know. I'm not a lawyer. I don't know." He acknowledged that the Fifth Amendment guarantees due process but argued that adhering to it would hinder his mass deportation agenda.
Trump's administration has also been accused of ignoring a Supreme Court ruling to facilitate the return of a migrant, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly sent to a prison for terrorists in El Salvador. This incident further highlights the ambiguous relationship between Trump's interpretation of the Supreme Court's rulings and his adherence to them.
Trump has also directed the repeal of regulations that are considered unlawful under recent Supreme Court decisions. In April 2025, he issued a memorandum instructing departments and agencies to review and revoke regulations that are inconsistent with ten significant Supreme Court rulings. These rulings include cases such as Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned the Chevron doctrine, and West Virginia v. EPA, a landmark ruling applying the Major Questions Doctrine.
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Frequently asked questions
Donald Trump said that he did not know whether he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to giving immigrants the right of due process. He added that he was not a lawyer.
Yes, Trump acknowledged that he could not run for a third term as President due to the constitutional amendment passed in 1947.
Yes, Trump suggested that he could seek a third term in a late March phone interview with NBC. He said, "I'm not joking."
Yes, Trump gave his clearest indication that he would not seek a third term in an interview that aired on NBC in May 2025. He said, "I'll be an eight-year president, I'll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important."
