Trump claims authority to deploy military domestically without court interference
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President Donald Trump spoke to the press while en route to South Korea aboard Air Force One on Tuesday and made statements regarding his authority to deploy US military forces domestically; This is something that will likely raise legal and political concerns.
Trump was on his way to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), where he was scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During media availability, Trump claimed that he could deploy US military forces to American cities if necessary and that “the courts will not get involved.”
Speaking to reporters, he said he would consider using the military beyond the National Guard if needed.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea in Japan on October 29, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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“I would do it if I had to,” he said. “It wasn’t necessary. We’re doing a great job without him.”
Trump also argued that as president he had the authority to take such action.
“If I want to perform a certain action, I am allowed to do it routinely,” he said. “I’ll be allowed to do whatever I want… You understand the courts won’t get involved. Nobody will.”
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US President Donald Trump is greeted by South Korean officials when he arrives at the airport in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
“I could send in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines. I could send in anyone I wanted, but I didn’t do that because we’re in such good shape.”
Trump made a point of using San Francisco as an example, explaining that federal officials were “ready to go out last Saturday” to intervene in the city, but backed out after local leaders wanted a chance to handle it themselves.
“We would have solved this problem in less than a month,” he said, adding that the federal response would “go much faster and be much more effective.”
He also highlighted what he described as progress in other parts of the United States.
US President Donald Trump is greeted by South Korean officials when he arrives at the airport in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Memphis is making tremendous progress,” Trump said. “I think there’s been a drop of almost 70%, 60-70%. And in two or three weeks there will be almost no crime.”
The president is scheduled to meet with Xi on Wednesday to discuss fentanyl smuggling, trade policy and border security.
