President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about his constitutional duty to uphold due process rights, commenting in an NBC interview that he is unsure if those rights should extend equally to U.S. citizens and noncitizens. When asked about the Fifth Amendment guaranteeing due process, Trump replied, “I don’t know, I’m not a lawyer,” and emphasized he has a team of “brilliant lawyers” to handle legal interpretations.
Trump also touched on deportation efforts, using the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Salvadoran mistakenly deported—to highlight his immigration measures. He described Abrego Garcia as part of a violent gang, challenging a Supreme Court decision ordering his return to the U.S. and attributing delays to the courts.
On foreign policy matters, Trump downplayed the notion of using military force against Canada, which he has provocatively suggested could become the “51st state.” He labeled such a scenario as “highly unlikely” and downplayed the military necessity in this context.
Despite his rhetoric, Trump appeared less certain about the U.S.’s ability to acquire Greenland peacefully from Denmark, a NATO ally, citing strategic interests in the region.
Economically, he addressed concerns about a potential recession, asserting that the economy is in a “transition period” and defending his tariff strategy as beneficial. He dismissed economic analysts warning of recession, emphasizing that the economy could be heading towards historical highs.
Regarding potential third-term aspirations, Trump acknowledged public support for another run but reiterated that his focus is on a successful current term and finding a worthy Republican successor.
Trump praised Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting Rubio’s temporary dual appointments. The president voiced confidence in the party’s future leadership and criticized the Democrats, remarking on the strength of his political allies.
Touching on recent controversies, Trump defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasizing that Hegseth’s position remains secure amid criticisms of his handling of military communications.
The president denied any personal financial gain during his presidency, highlighting his donation of salary back to the government. He admitted promoting various business ventures, such as cryptocurrency, due to its growing relevance and expressed beliefs about its future importance.
Concerning TikTok, Trump reiterated his openness to extending the deadline for an American-led acquisition. He underscored ongoing negotiations for TikTok amid U.S.-China trade tensions, maintaining optimism about a satisfactory resolution.