President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday that his authority as commander-in-chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” dismissing international law and other external checks on the use of U.S. military, economic, and political power.“Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me,” Trump told The New York Times Wednesday night when asked if there were any limits on his international power.

“I don’t need international law,” he said. “I’m not looking to hurt people.”When pressed on whether his administration is required to abide by international law, Trump said, “I do,” but added, “It depends what your definition of international law is.” His remarks follow U.S. attacks on groups in Venezuela, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria, Iraq and Iran throughout the first year of his second term. 

Trump’s decision to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro prompted backlash and concerns about the potential of a war ensuing. Trump, who spoke to the newspaper as his administration looks into “a range of options” in attempts to gain control of Greenland, also emphasized the importance of ownership. “Ownership is very important,” Trump said, adding, “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success.

I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do with, you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.”Justifying the US’s attacks on Venezuela, Trump repeated his controversial claims that Maduro had allegedly sent gang members into the US.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)