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United States President Donald Trump said in an interview aired Sunday that he does not know whether he is required to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the nation's foundational legal document.
In a wide-ranging conversation with NBC News, the 78-year-old Republican also stated he is not seriously considering a constitutionally prohibited third term in the White House and blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for what he described as the “bad parts” of the U.S. economy.
Trump has faced broad criticism for testing constitutional boundaries since returning to office in January, particularly regarding his mass deportation policy targeting undocumented migrants — some of whom have been expelled without a court hearing.
He has defended the accelerated removals by declaring a “national emergency,” arguing that affording due process to all migrants would take “300 years.”
When asked by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker whether both citizens and non-citizens deserve due process under the Constitution, Trump responded, “I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know.”
Pressed again on whether he believes he must uphold the Constitution, Trump repeated: “I don’t know.”
The remarks quickly drew attention in Washington, including from members of his own party.
“We’re either a free society governed by the Constitution or we’re not,” Republican Sen. Rand Paul, a self-described constitutional conservative, wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, without elaboration.
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Trump has previously suggested he might seek a third term, an idea widely rejected by constitutional experts.
The 22nd Amendment clearly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
In March, Trump said he was “not joking” about seeking a third term, claiming without explanation that there are “methods” that could make it possible.
Amending the Constitution to permit a third term would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress and ratification by at least 38 of the 50 U.S. state legislatures.
“This is not something I’m looking to do,” Trump told Welker in the interview. “I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody — ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward.”
Asked who he envisioned taking the reins, Trump named Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adding, “We have a lot of good people in this party.”
Trump also pushed back when asked to respond to critics who claim he is steering the country toward authoritarianism.
“Why don’t you ask it a different way?” he said. “Many people want to come into our country. Many people love Trump. I won the election.”
Trump’s first 100 days back in office have been marked by economic volatility, particularly as he moves to impose broad tariffs on most trading partners.
Despite the U.S. economy contracting in the first quarter of 2025, Trump maintained an upbeat and defiant stance, insisting, “Tariffs are going to make us rich.”
“I think the good parts are the Trump economy, and the bad parts are the Biden economy,” he said.
Trump also overstated the success of his administration’s efforts to reduce consumer prices, claiming gasoline in the U.S. had dropped to as low as $1.98 per gallon. According to the American Automobile Association, the lowest price per gallon this week was $2.65, with the national average at $3.16.
Speaking with Welker while walking through his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump shared his vision of building a multi-million-dollar “ballroom” at the White House, which he said he would personally finance.
He also discussed an upcoming military parade in Washington planned for his 79th birthday on June 14.
“We’re going to have a big, beautiful parade,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about the cost as his administration moves to lay off thousands of federal employees.
“We have the greatest weapons in the world, and we’re going to celebrate it,” he said.
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