Trump’s assessment of his own freedom to use any instrument of military, economic or political power to cement US supremacy was the most blunt acknowledgement yet of his world view. At its core is the concept that national strength, rather than laws, treaties and conventions, should be the deciding factor as powers collide. When asked what was his higher priority, obtaining Greenland or preserving Nato, Trump declined to answer directly, but acknowledged “it may be a choice”. About 1.5 per cent of that is actually for domestic infrastructure – from power grids to cybersecurity – that can support defence. On the domestic front, Trump suggested that judges only have the power to restrict his domestic policy agenda, from the deployment of the National Guard to the imposition of tariffs, “under certain circumstances”.

Source: International New York Times January 09, 2026 06:24 UTC