Isabella Carter
Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of attempting to usurp the constitutional powers of the United States Congress, with critics alleging that he wishes to act above the law and without constitutional constraints. In 2022, Trump faced bipartisan rebuke after calling for the termination of parts of the Constitution due to his false claims of a stolen 2020 election. Trump has also expressed uncertainty about upholding constitutional due process, particularly regarding immigrants' rights. Despite these controversies, the Trump administration proposed an 80-hour training program on the Constitution for upper-level government employees, raising questions about its potential partisan nature. Given Trump's complex relationship with the Constitution, it is challenging to determine the chances that he has read and fully comprehended this foundational document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trump's knowledge of the Constitution | Trump has stated that he does not know whether he needs to uphold the US Constitution. |
| Trump's views on due process rights | Trump has expressed uncertainty about whether he backs constitutional due process rights for both US citizens and noncitizens. |
| Trump's stance on a third term | Trump has indicated he does not plan to seek a third term, acknowledging constitutional constraints, but has also stated that he does not rule out any possibilities. |
| Trump's relationship with the judiciary | Trump has been accused of assaulting the Fourteenth Amendment and targeting the First Amendment-protected free press. He has also attempted to fire commissioners with fixed terms from independent bodies, which violates the 1935 Humphrey's Executor v. United States case. |
| Trump's views on Greenland and Canada | Trump has expressed a desire to acquire Greenland for national and international security, suggesting that military action might be necessary. He has stated that it is highly unlikely that military force would be needed to make Canada the 51st state. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Trump's understanding of the Constitution
In May 2025, Donald Trump stated in a TV interview that he did not know whether he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to giving immigrants the right of due process. When asked by moderator Kristen Welker whether noncitizens in the United States deserved due process, Trump responded, "I don't know. I'm not a lawyer."
Trump's response came just over 100 days after he swore an oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." This is not the first time Trump has expressed uncertainty about his duties to uphold due process rights laid out in the Constitution. In May 2025, he told NBC that he did not know whether US citizens and noncitizens alike deserved that guarantee. Trump's comments have sparked criticism from those who argue that he is chipping away at due process in the United States.
Trump has also faced accusations of attempting to dismantle government power and curb its ability to intervene in markets. He has fired inspectors general without informing Congress, as required by law, and claimed the right to direct prosecutions personally. Additionally, he has tried to seize control of independent agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, requiring them to submit their work for his approval. These actions have been seen as a power grab that extends throughout the executive branch.
Trump has also made statements suggesting that he might seek a third term as president, which is prohibited by a constitutional amendment passed in 1947. While he has acknowledged the constitutional constraints, he has also stated that he does not know if these constraints are constitutional. Trump's supporters have called for a constitutional amendment to allow him to run for a third term, and his family's businesses have encouraged this speculation.
In conclusion, while it is unclear if Trump has read the Constitution, his understanding of it appears limited. He has repeatedly expressed uncertainty about his duties to uphold due process rights and has made statements suggesting he might seek a third term, indicating a lack of respect for constitutional constraints. Trump's actions and statements have sparked concerns about his commitment to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
The Great Compromise: Constitution's Pivotal Agreement
You may want to see also
Trump's indifference to constitutional due process
In May 2025, Donald Trump gave a wide-ranging TV interview in which he expressed uncertainty over whether he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it comes to giving immigrants the right of due process. When asked if US citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, Trump was noncommittal, stating, "I don't know. I'm not, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know."
Trump's comments came amidst his long-promised campaign of mass deportations, raising questions about his commitment to constitutional due process for immigrants. In the same interview, Trump also played down the possibility of seeking a third term in office, which is prohibited by the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution. However, he acknowledged the strong support for him to run for a third term, stating that he did not know if the constitutional constraint on a third term was valid.
Trump's administration has also been marked by attempts to undermine the free press, a key pillar of the First Amendment. He has referred to the media as "the enemy of the people" and directed his Department of Justice to subpoena reporters' telephone records to prosecute leakers within his administration. Additionally, Trump has been accused of weaponizing the federal government against his political enemies, as seen in his efforts to investigate and discredit Chris Krebs, the former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency chief.
Furthermore, Trump has shown a willingness to use wartime powers and suspend constitutional rights, such as the writ of habeas corpus. His administration's deportation policies have been deemed anti-constitutional, and federal courts have pushed back against his attempts to bypass their role in the deportation process. Trump's indifference to constitutional due process and his efforts to consolidate power have sparked concerns about the erosion of the rule of law in the United States.
Johnny Appleseed's US Constitution Connection
You may want to see also
Trump's supporters in Congress
Trump supporters in Congress have been labelled as "Trumpism", a conservative movement with far-right, national-populist, and neo-nationalist viewpoints. Trump supporters became a sizable portion of the Republican Party, although they were not necessarily limited to any one party. The Freedom Caucus is the most major representation of the movement in Congress.
Trump supporters in Congress have been found to hold a variety of beliefs and expectations. In a September survey, 58% of Trump supporters said it would be acceptable for the president to use executive orders to make policies if he cannot get his priorities through Congress. 54% approved of the president ordering federal law enforcement officials to investigate his Democratic political opponents. However, 58% said it would be unacceptable for him to fire government workers for not being loyal to him, and 57% said it would be unacceptable for him to pardon friends or supporters who have been convicted of a crime.
In October 2024, 86% of Trump supporters said he should focus on addressing the concerns of all Americans, not just his supporters, if elected. Seven-in-ten Trump supporters also said that the next president should work with the opposing party in Congress. The economy was the most important issue for Trump voters in 2024, with 93% of his supporters saying it was very important to their vote.
Trump supporters in Congress have also been found to support Trump's stance on immigration. Trump has been accused of chipping away at due process in the United States, particularly in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned without communication. When asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, Trump was noncommittal. Trump has also been accused of attempting to use wartime powers to deport immigrants, in violation of the Constitution.
Overall, Trump supporters in Congress hold a range of beliefs and expectations that align with the conservative, far-right, and nationalist agenda of the Trump administration. They support Trump's use of executive power and his stance on immigration, while also wanting him to address the concerns of all Americans and work with the opposing party in Congress.
Electricity and the Constitution: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trump's calls to 'terminate' the Constitution
While it is unclear whether Trump has read the Constitution, his actions and statements have raised concerns about his commitment to upholding it. In December 2022, former President Donald Trump faced widespread criticism for calling for the "termination of parts of the Constitution" over his false claims of a stolen 2020 election. Trump's statement sparked rebuke from officials in both parties, including Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who vehemently disagreed and condemned the remarks. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump's statement as strange and extreme. Spokesman Andrew Bates asserted that attacking the Constitution is "anathema to the soul of our nation."
Trump's ambiguous stance on upholding constitutional due process rights has also been a cause for concern. In a 2025 interview, he stated that he didn't know if he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to granting immigrants due process rights, stating, "I don't know. I'm not, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know." This uncertainty about his duties as president raised questions about his commitment to protecting the rights of both citizens and noncitizens.
Trump has also been accused of attempting to use wartime powers and targeting the free press, which is protected by the First Amendment. His administration's response to the media has been described as "vindictive," and he has directed the Department of Justice to subpoena reporters' telephone records. Additionally, Trump has defied Supreme Court orders, such as in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported and imprisoned, despite the Court ordering his return to the US.
Furthermore, Trump has suggested running for a third term, which is prohibited by the 22nd Amendment. While he acknowledged constitutional constraints, he also stated, "I don't know if that's constitutional that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else." This ambiguity has fueled concerns about his respect for constitutional limits on presidential power.
Overall, while it is unknown if Trump has read the Constitution, his actions and statements indicate a willingness to disregard constitutional norms and limits, prompting concerns about his commitment to upholding the nation's foundational document.
Founding Fathers: Slave Owners or Not?
You may want to see also
Trump's Constitution classes
The US Constitution is a powerful document, outlining the rights and freedoms of US citizens and setting out the country's system of government. It is the foundation of the United States and a text that all politicians are expected to be familiar with.
So, has former President Donald Trump read the Constitution? Well, that's hard to say for certain. However, his comments and actions during his time in office suggest a lack of understanding of, or regard for, the document.
In a 2025 interview, Trump stated that he didn't know if he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to giving immigrants the right of due process. He also expressed uncertainty about whether US citizens and non-citizens deserved the same guarantees of due process, as outlined in the Fifth Amendment. Trump's comments sparked criticism and concerns about his commitment to constitutional principles.
Trump has also made statements indicating a potential disregard for constitutional constraints on his power. He has suggested running for a third term as president, which is prohibited by the 22nd Amendment. While he later walked back this suggestion, it caused unease among those concerned about his commitment to democratic norms.
Furthermore, Trump has been accused of attempting to undermine the free press, a fundamental principle protected by the First Amendment. He has referred to the free press as "the enemy of the people" and has targeted journalists with subpoenas and threats of prosecution.
Trump's actions and statements suggest a problematic relationship with the Constitution and the principles it enshrines. While it is unclear if he has read the document, his interpretation and application of it have certainly been called into question.
In conclusion, Trump's understanding of the Constitution appears selective and self-serving. His willingness to ignore or circumvent constitutional norms and protections has had significant implications for the country and underscores the importance of comprehensive education on the document for all those seeking public office.
The Executive's Constitutional Address: Powers and Limits
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether Trump has read the constitution, but he has been accused of attempting to circumvent it.
Yes, Trump has been accused of attempting to circumvent the constitution, particularly in regard to freedom of the press and due process.
It is unlikely that Trump fully understands the constitution, given his attempts to terminate parts of it and his administration's development of a Constitution training program.
Yes, Trump called for the "termination of parts of the Constitution" following his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Trump's attempts to circumvent the constitution have been met with widespread criticism and rebuke from officials in both parties. Some have accused him of mocking" Catholics and turning the federal government against Americans.
