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highplainsdem

(60,684 posts)
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 02:45 PM Jan 8

Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by 'My Own Morality'

Source: NYT

President Trump declared on Wednesday evening that his power as commander in chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” brushing aside international law and other checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world.

Asked in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times if there were any limits on his global powers, Mr. Trump said: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”

“I don’t need international law,” he added. “I’m not looking to hurt people.”

When pressed further about whether his administration needed to abide by international law, Mr. Trump said, “I do.” But he made clear he would be the arbiter when such constraints applied to the United States.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-interview-power-morality.html



He's the living, stinking definition of lawless.


Bluesky comment from journalist/historian Garrett Graff:

I’m sorry, what “morality” is that exactly?

Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg.bsky.social) 2026-01-08T19:24:07.361Z
39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by 'My Own Morality' (Original Post) highplainsdem Jan 8 OP
What morality? Ask E Jean Carroll. jls4561 Jan 8 #1
The same moral basis that Elon Musk is using. Linda ladeewolf Jan 9 #33
Well, that leaves every possibility available since he is totally amoral. Lonestarblue Jan 8 #2
It would have been more accurate had he said it was based on his own immorality. Baitball Blogger Jan 8 #6
He spelled dweller Jan 8 #3
.. Clouds Passing Jan 8 #4
What morality? Jilly_in_VA Jan 8 #5
MORALITY?!!? GiqueCee Jan 9 #36
Fascist Pig duckworth969 Jan 8 #7
No comment. SergeStorms Jan 8 #8
yup Skittles Jan 9 #26
My fondest wish is to see this blowhard in the Hague. sinkingfeeling Jan 8 #9
His "own mortality" would be even better! RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Jan 8 #10
IOW, he will be totally unrestrained. Just like he was with little girls. MLWR Jan 8 #11
He is 100% looking to hurt people. maxsolomon Jan 8 #12
Legend has it... GiqueCee Jan 9 #35
Pedophiles everywhere are rejoicing Seinan Sensei Jan 8 #13
We have the Supreme Court Jesters to thank for that. Marie Marie Jan 8 #14
So sayeth the mad king. flashman13 Jan 8 #15
His own morality? 3catwoman3 Jan 8 #16
Weird Rebl2 Jan 8 #17
He is an insane megalomaniac and his mania is getting worst kimbutgar Jan 8 #18
At first, I thought it was a typo, and I think it more accurate vs F47's spoken view: constrained by his own *mortality* 0rganism Jan 8 #19
I had to laugh at the idea of trump having morals. mwb970 Jan 8 #20
It would be hilarious---if it weren't so terrifying. (nt) Paladin Jan 8 #21
Quite Impeachable of a statement purr-rat beauty Jan 8 #22
Trump's Morality Is A Blank Sheet Of Paper nt DallasNE Jan 8 #23
Shut up, Piggy orangecrush Jan 8 #24
trump is, without a doubt, joshdawg Jan 9 #25
"It's the only thing that can stop me." OldBaldy1701E Jan 9 #27
I'm rather glad I no longer subscribe to tge sane washing New York Times. NNadir Jan 9 #28
It was a typo dlk Jan 9 #29
That's what I think also. BradBo Jan 9 #39
He wants sympathy milestogo Jan 9 #30
Baby Jane: utherpendragon Jan 9 #31
Trump just convicted himself. Martin68 Jan 9 #32
What a stupid, naive man. Sogo Jan 9 #34
Given he has no morals.... Quanto Magnus Jan 9 #37
I think he's so stupid he meant mortality. BradBo Jan 9 #38

Linda ladeewolf

(1,114 posts)
33. The same moral basis that Elon Musk is using.
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 11:52 AM
Jan 9

It’s okay for billionaires to allow AI to create child abuse porn and strip the dignity from women. Billionaires think of themselves as gods, dont you know? They have all the money, all the power. They have no morals. Only the love of money and power. The “Love” of money is the root of all evil, not money itself. We all like a bit of money, just because it’s necessary to live in our society, but most of us are content with enough.

This is the same morality that allowed a place like Epstein’s Island to flourish, where billionaires could abuse the children of the lesser ones. The same morality that Curtis Yarvin uses to suggest that the poor should be reduced to biofuel. It’s not really morality, it’s power gone mad. The same morality that allows mega churches to flourish and build millionaires from donations made by people on social security. It’s the same morality that make proud boys so proud. It’s just a lust for whatever power they can latch onto.

Lonestarblue

(13,315 posts)
2. Well, that leaves every possibility available since he is totally amoral.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 02:51 PM
Jan 8

He just declared himself king, with no power of anyone to stop him.

Skittles

(170,078 posts)
26. yup
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 05:45 AM
Jan 9

like with everything, he is overreaching....even his brain-dead admirers would find that a bit suspect :shrugh:

GiqueCee

(3,562 posts)
35. Legend has it...
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 03:01 PM
Jan 9

... that beating up a 5-year-old was the last straw that got him sent to a military academy. Doesn't surprise me a bit. I've been watching his clown show for more than 40 years, and this evil fuck delights in hurting people.

kimbutgar

(26,963 posts)
18. He is an insane megalomaniac and his mania is getting worst
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 07:35 PM
Jan 8

Don’t be surprised if he orders the military to bomb a blue state!

There are no guardrails on him and I’m frankly getting scared for our country’s safety.

0rganism

(25,511 posts)
19. At first, I thought it was a typo, and I think it more accurate vs F47's spoken view: constrained by his own *mortality*
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 07:52 PM
Jan 8

I don't think he exits his massive power-grab alive. (nothing specific, JMHO)

purr-rat beauty

(1,059 posts)
22. Quite Impeachable of a statement
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 08:34 PM
Jan 8

He is beholden to The Constitution and The American People, he was elected (hired) and abides by the law whether he likes it or not.

If not....he is a traitor.

No pussy footing around it.

joshdawg

(2,930 posts)
25. trump is, without a doubt,
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 05:18 AM
Jan 9

the most immoral asswipe that has ever infected the human race.
A fence post has more moral values than orangeass.

OldBaldy1701E

(10,560 posts)
27. "It's the only thing that can stop me."
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 08:11 AM
Jan 9

Sure it is.

It may be the only thing anyone seems willing to allow to do so, but it is far from the 'only' thing.

utherpendragon

(21 posts)
31. Baby Jane:
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 10:54 AM
Jan 9

Blanche: “You wouldn’t be able to do these awful things to me if I weren’t still in this chair.”
Jane: “You are, Blanche. You are in that chair.”

Sogo

(7,022 posts)
34. What a stupid, naive man.
Fri Jan 9, 2026, 12:43 PM
Jan 9

He would be easily crushed by an opposition coalition, and it would be a humiliating defeat of our military.

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