Merve Berker
17 February 2025•Update: 17 February 2025
ANKARA
US President Donald Trump has defended his administration's broad use of executive power, stating in a social media post that “he who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” press reports indicated on Sunday.
The statement, posted on Saturday and pinned to the top of Trump's profile, has reignited discussions about the limits of presidential authority, according to CNN.
The quote closely mirrors a line from a 1970 film about Napoleon Bonaparte, renowned for his ambitious territorial conquests.
Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has signed numerous executive orders, targeting federal foreign aid, dismissing federal workers, and restructuring government programs.
Many of these actions have already faced legal challenges, with over 60 lawsuits filed nationwide.
The Justice Department has been defending Trump’s policies, arguing that executive powers should not be restricted by the judiciary, particularly in matters related to federal workforce management and spending.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris recently informed lawmakers that the department no longer supports certain legal protections for independent officials, describing such provisions as “unconstitutional.”
“Does the president have the authority to disregard a law if necessary to respond to a threat to the nation’s security?” conservative attorney John Yoo asked, suggesting that Trump’s comments are likely rhetorical rather than indicating any immediate action.
Criticism from Trump's opponents was swift.
“Spoken like a true dictator,” said Senator Adam Schiff of California.
Senator Amy Klobuchar pointed to the administration’s involvement in a corruption investigation in New York, stating: “Costs are up. Chaos is up. Corruption is up.”
The ongoing legal disputes will test how the judiciary interprets presidential authority, with the Supreme Court expected to rule on several pivotal cases in the coming months.
