Trump says his power is limited first by his ‘high grade of morality,’ then by the Constitution

DEARBORN, MICHIGAN: Trump admitted that his own morality sets limits on his power during a 13-minute interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil on the evening of January 13. 

The comments come as Trump, after his first year back in the White House, has aggressively expanded executive authority, signing hundreds of orders to reshape federal policy, dismantling agencies unilaterally and bypassing laws passed by Congress.

Tony Dokoupil questions the domestic limits of Trump’s authority

Trump made the remarks after Dokoupil asked what constrains his authority on domestic policy.

Trump said, "It's limited by my morality, and I have a very high grade of morality, so therefore it's limited."

Dokoupil pushed back, asking, "Not the Constitution? Not the courts? That's what I thought you were going to say."

Trump replied, "Well, the Constitution and courts. That goes without saying. But you're asking me what really can stop. We'll never get to the courts, we'll never get to the Constitution because I want to see what's good for our country."

Dokoupil, who began his tenure as anchor of CBS Evening News on January 5, followed up on similar remarks Trump made last week to The New York Times.

When asked whether any limits constrained his global power, Trump again pointed to his own morality as the only restraint.

"Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me."

Trump warns the Iranian regime amid its plans for executions

During the CBS interview, Trump warned that his administration would respond with “very strong action” if the Iranian regime proceeds with executing anti-government protesters.

Iranian Kurdish rights group Hengaw reported that authorities plan to execute 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested in connection with the protests, on January 14.

 Trump did not specify what actions he would take, but said, "If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action."

Earlier in the day, Trump urged Iranian protesters to continue their resistance and promised that “help is on the way,” as the country’s largest protests in years have grown increasingly deadly.

Trump also addressed criticism from supporters who argue that he has focused too much on Iran, Venezuela, and other international issues instead of the U.S. economy. He said, "My focus is very much on this country, but you can't lose sight of the fact that we need peace all over the world."

As Americans struggle with rising living costs, Trump defended his economic record and blamed former president Joe Biden for what he called an inherited inflation crisis.

Trump claimed, "We have now the hottest country in the world. And a year and a half ago, our country was dead," and told Dokoupil that if Democratic nominee Kamala Harris had won the election, Dokoupil “wouldn’t have a job right now.”