During a January 13, 2026, interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan, President Donald Trump addressed questions about the limits of presidential power, asserting that his own personal morality — “a very high grade of morality” — plays a central role in restraining his actions, in addition to constitutional and legal frameworks.

When Dokoupil asked whether anything beyond the Constitution or courts limits his authority, Trump responded that his decisions are guided by his moral compass. “I'm a moral person. I don't like seeing death. I don't like seeing our people hurt. I don't like seeing the other side hurt either,” the president said, explaining that even in military operations he aims to minimize casualties on all sides. He referenced recent operations in Venezuela as an example, emphasizing that U.S. forces did not suffer fatalities under his direction, even as opponents were harmed. 

The exchange underscored the president’s attempt to frame his leadership philosophy in ethical terms, particularly amid broader scrutiny over executive power and governance. The interview also covered economic issues, including factory expansions and job creation, as well as foreign policy challenges such as Iran’s internal unrest and its nuclear ambitions. Throughout, Trump reiterated that advancing American interests — domestically and abroad — is tied to both strength and a principle‑based approach. 

Conducted by Tony Dokoupil, who recently assumed the anchor role for CBS Evening News, the interview reflected a mix of policy discussion and personal justification from the president, at times yielding a polite but occasionally testy dialogue that highlighted differing views on executive restraint and accountability.