Trump Asked If He Has to 'Uphold The Constitution', Says He 'Doesn’t Know’
In a revealing interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about his obligation to uphold the Constitution, particularly regarding due process for immigrants targeted in his mass deportation agenda.
The comments, aired Sunday, highlight tensions between Trump’s campaign promises and constitutional protections.
Uncertainty Over Constitutional Obligations
When moderator Kristen Welker asked Trump if he agreed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that everyone in the U.S. is entitled to due process, Trump replied, “I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know.”
Pressed further on whether he must uphold the Constitution as president, he reiterated, “I don’t know,” emphasizing his reliance on legal advisors.
Trump argued that providing due process would require “a million or 2 million or 3 million trials,” slowing his goal of deporting thousands, including those he labeled “murderers and drug dealers.”
The Fifth Amendment explicitly states that “no person” shall be “deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,” a protection the Supreme Court has long extended to noncitizens.
Recent court rulings have reaffirmed this, blocking Trump’s attempts to deport alleged gang members without hearings.
Controversial Deportation Tactics
Trump’s administration has invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify rapid deportations, claiming Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua constitutes an invading force.
However, Supreme Court decisions, including one on April 19, halted deportations of alleged gang members who were denied a chance to contest their status.
In another case, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported despite a 2019 judicial order, was wrongly accused of MS-13 gang ties.
The Supreme Court ordered the government to “facilitate” his return, but Trump, when asked about progress, said, “I don’t know. You’d have to ask the attorney general that question.”
Legal Reliance and Broader Implications
Trump insisted he is not defying the Supreme Court, stating, “I’m relying on the attorney general of the United States, Pam Bondi, who’s very capable, doing a great job.”
He also suggested he might seek further Supreme Court clarification on the term “facilitate.”
The administration’s firing of immigration judges and failure to pursue legislative solutions have drawn criticism, raising questions about its commitment to constitutional norms as it pursues an aggressive deportation strategy.