Having such power and having such disregard for International Law makes Trump a very dangerous man.
‘I don’t need international law’: Trump says his power is constrained only by ‘my own morality’ – The Guardian, 08/01/2026
Jan 2026: Donald Trump directly challenged the framework of the established global order by stating in a New York Times interview that his power is constrained only by his “own morality, my own mind” rather than international law. This declaration marked a significant, public rejection of the “rules-based international order” that has governed international relations since World War II.
Summary:
- Rejection of International Constraints: Trump stated, “I don’t need international law,” although he subsequently conceded that his administration adheres to it depending on the “definition of international law”.
- “America First” Doctrine: The administration is operating under a strategy that privileges national interest and strength, often described as a return to 19th-century “spheres of influence” where “might makes right”.
- Actions Challenging Norms: The administration has taken actions that challenge international norms, including pursuing the acquisition of Greenland (including potential military options), initiating actions against the Venezuelan government, and threatening to bypass international institutions.
- Global Response: World leaders have expressed alarm at this shift, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning of a move towards a “world without rules” where international law is “trampled underfoot”.
- Alternative Viewpoints: Some supporters of the administration argue that international law has often failed to ensure peace and that the existing global system was already in decline, requiring a more “muscular” approach to uphold US interests.
This approach marks a transition from a system based on multilateral agreements to one defined by bilateral negotiations, economic pressure (tariffs), and personalistic diplomacy.
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