Thoughts for the Day, January 8, 2026: The only constraints are his morality

For one with no moral compass, this should be very alarming.

Trump’s view on his absolute power

During a two-hour interview on Wednesday with multiple NY Times reporters, President Trump declared on Wednesday evening that his power as commander in chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” brushing aside international law and other checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world.

Asked in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times if there were any limits on his global powers, Mr. Trump said: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” “I don’t need international law,” he added. “I’m not looking to hurt people.”

When pressed further about whether his administration needed to abide by international law, Mr. Trump said, “I do.” But he made clear he would be the arbiter when such constraints applied to the United States. “It depends what your definition of international law is,” he said.

Mr. Trump’s assessment of his own freedom to use any instrument of military, economic or political power to cement American supremacy was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of his worldview. At its core is the concept that national strength, rather than laws, treaties and conventions, should be the deciding factor as powers collide.

It is now on record. Trump does not believe he has any guardrails other than his own morality. This should frighten the hell out of everyone who loves our democracy and has taken an oath to honor the Constitution and the laws of our land. Compare his comments above to the oath of office he has taken twice.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Note: we might want to take out the phrase “to the best of my Ability” based on my observations of this president’s ability.

Total Disregard for Human Life

I have been struggling with Trump’s, Netanyahu’s, Putin’s and many other autocratic rulers disregard for human life to achieve their power grabs.

Within the last few months, Trump’s actions in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have resulted in nearly 100 deaths of alleged narcotics smugglers. In addition, reports indicate over 40 people were killed in the kidnapping of Venezuelan president Maduro and his wife.

Netanyahu killed over 40,000 Gazans in response to the October 2023 attack in Israel.

Since Putin attacked Ukraine, it is estimated that over 150,000 Russian and nearly 50,000 Ukraine soldiers have died in combat since 2021.

These deaths are a direct result of authoritarian rulers going unchecked by their respective governments.

I could add my concerns about how the Trump administration is treating immigrant detainees, but I do not think it is necessary. I would just be piling on.

It is a sad state when leaders of the largest countries in the world have no regard for human life.

Death in Minnesota

By now we have all seen the videos and have come to our own conclusions on what happened. I know what I saw but I will keep my opinions to myself until I am able to get the full story of what happened in the minutes leading up to the shooting of Rene Nicole Good.

I can’t help but think back to a shooting a few years back when a person sleeping in a parking lot of a fast-food restaurant, ended up dead when things escalated.

I don’t understand why a person sitting in her car blocking traffic and a person sleeping in their car in a parking lot should end up dead if cool heads had prevailed.

*************************************************************************************************************

I never thought I would be in this position

When it comes to the Trump administration, I am becoming a major cynic. I have lost all Trust in any words that come out of Trump, the White House press secretary, Secretary of State Rubio, AG Bondi, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, Speaker Johnson and many others.

The last time I felt this way was with the Nixon administration. Even in Trump’s first term I gave most of the players the benefit of the doubt. I don’t like feeling this way, but Trump and his administration have earned my cynicism.

I may not have agreed with many of the things previous presidents, congresspersons, secretaries, and directors did, but for the most part I respected the person and the position. The Trump administration has now surpassed the Nixon administration as the least trustful administration in my lifetime.

************************************************************************************************************

From Onion to Orchid

On Tuesday I gave former MSU basketball player Paul Davis an Onion of the Day for being asked to leave the arena because of his behavior toward the referees at the MSU game against USC. The onion was more than warranted.

Today I am giving Davis the Orchid of the Day. On Tuesday at 6:30 AM the morning after the game, Davis called Coach Izzo and apologized to Izzo. He also asked to speak in person to the team following their practice on Tuesday. This was after he called the referee and apologized to him. Following all of this, Davis asked Izzo to schedule a press conference following the team’s practice.

At the press conference Davis apologized and stayed at the podium and answered every question the press had for him. Davis was embarrassed and ashamed of what he did, and he promised he would never do it again. But he did not run and hide behind a social media apology. He faced it head on. He took accountability for his terrible behavior.

Davis was able to turn lemons into lemonade. He gets my Orchid of the Day. See the full video of his meeting with the press in my Video of the Day.

Quote of the Day: : “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” “I don’t need international law,” he added. “I’m not looking to hurt people.” President Trump when asked what constraints apply to him.

Orchid of the Day: Paul Davis. See above story.

Onion of the Day: Trust. Something I have lost when it comes to anything that this administration says.

Question of the Day: Does Trump’s comments to the NY Times reporters about what constrains him set off alarms for you?

Lyrics of the Day:

Old Hickory said we could take ‘em by surprise
If we didn’t fire our muskets
‘Til we looked ‘em in the eye
We held our fire
‘Til we see’d their faces well
Then we opened up our squirrel guns
And really gave ‘em, well

Lyrics of the Day for January 5, 2026. Tracks of my Tears, Smokey Robinson

Video of the Day: Paul Davis apology

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state-university/2026/01/06/ex-spartans-star-paul-davis-apologizes-for-ejection-it-was-a-mistake/88051451007/

I write reflective, opinionated essays on leadership, politics, sports, and life—grounded in experience rather than ideology. If this perspective resonates with you, you can subscribe here for free.