President Donald Trump posted his opening address on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Manuel Balce CNETA/AP/AP Closed subtitles
President Trump — when asked if he thought he needed to uphold the constitution on "meeting with Kristen Welker's media" — said: "I don't know," but added that his lawyers "will obviously follow what the Supreme Court said."
The response comes after a series of questions about due process rights for those living in the United States and the Fifth Amendment. During the exchange, Trump said he wanted to expel millions of undocumented immigrants, who he called "the worst person on the planet."
"I was elected as their hell, and the court kept me from doing that," Trump said.
Immigration law enforcement is one of the main issues ahead of the 2024 presidential election. It's a strong question for Trump, but recent polls have shown that Americans are opposed to his handling of immigration.
Welk then urged Trump whether he needs to comply with the Constitution and its rights to the American people as president
"I don't know," Trump said. "I have to answer, again, I have great lawyers working for me and they obviously follow what the Supreme Court says. What you say is not what the Supreme Court says I hear. They have different interpretations."
In an extensive interview with NBC News, Trump also ruled out a third term campaign - a constitutional prohibition.
"It's not what I want to do," Trump said. "I hope there are four great years and then I'll give it to someone."
Trump previously said he was not "joking" in his third term and argued that there was a way."
When asked about his successor, Trump praised Vice President Judd Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"JD did a great job," he said. "Marco is great...we have a lot of good people at this party."
Economically, Trump blamed former President Joe Biden on the “bad parts” while commending the “good parts” of the economy.
"Ultimately, I'm responsible for everything," Trump said during the pressure from Welker. "But I've just been here for over three months."
Trump also celebrated his tariff policies that stirred up financial markets and increased the likelihood of a recession. He said the tariffs could be permanent.
Last week, the Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy had an annual salary of 0.3% in the first quarter of this year.
"Fake news gives me tariffs," Trump said. "Tariffs will make us rich. We will be a very wealthy country."
Asked if the president believes a short-term recession can benefit in the long term, Trump said the country is in a period of transformation.
"Look, yes, everything is good," he said. "We're. I said, it's a transition period. I think we'll do a good job."
President continues to criticize Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates as Trump does, but the president It is worth noting that he has no plans to delete Powell before the end of his 2026 term. Previously, Trump threatened to terminate the chairman - wasted the shock wave on the market due to fears that the Fed would lose its independence.
Later in the interview, Trump refused to rule out the use of military power in Greenland, saying: "This could happen."
"We need Greenland very much," he said. "Greenland is a very small number of people, we will take care of them, we will cherish them, all of them. But we need this for international security."
Trump also said he plans to continue talking about annexation of Canada and becoming the 51st state, but he said it was "very unlikely" that he would use military power against Canada. Trump will soon meet with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump rejected the suggestion when asked about concerns that he was taking the country along the path of authoritarianism.
"These people will be very happy," Trump said of critics who see the country go down a dictatorial path. "They will have to see some results."
Welk then asked Trump whether he believed his critics had the right to oppose him without fear of retribution.
"Absolutely," he said. "Yes, I do. I do."
Trump has frequently opposed his political critics in his social media posts, extracting security permits and details for some, and vowing to investigate others.