Trump Says 'Morality' Limits Power; Media Forgets US is Already Above International Law
Donald Trump recently stated his 'own morality' is the only limit to his power, asserting he doesn't 'need international law' (according to The Hill). While presented as a shocking declaration, this sentiment isn't an anomaly for US leaders. From the unilateral invasion of Iraq—which lacked UN Security Council authorization—to consistent refusals to ratify foundational international treaties like
the International Criminal Court, the US has a long-standing tradition of selectively adhering to global legal frameworks. When it serves 'national interests,' international law is often treated as a suggestion, not a mandate. So, is Trump's statement truly groundbreaking, or just an unvarnished articulation of an unspoken truth about American exceptionalism? The mainstream media dutifully reports
the 'outrage' while meticulously omitting the historical receipts of how Washington has navigated — or rather, circumvented — international legal obligations for decades. It's almost as if some moral high ground exists only when it's politically convenient, rather than consistently applied.