Outside the Beltway

Right in Front of Our Noses: The Autocratic Mind

This isn't problematic at all...

Steven L. Taylor · Tuesday, January 13, 2026 · 2 comments

“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”-George Orwell.

For previous entries, click here.

As I try to catch up on what has been a rather dizzying start to 2026, I thought this ought to be highlighted from the NYT interview with Trump:

Katie Rogers

Do you see any checks on your power on the world stage? Is there anything that could stop you if you wanted to?

President Trump

Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me, and that’s very good.

In a sane world, this would be seen as an utterly unacceptable statement on its face. I wouldn’t even need to comment on it. And yet, here we are.

I do understand that this is not a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention, but the man is an egotistical autocrat through and through. He does not conceive of a US national interest apart from his own preferences. There isn’t even lip service to some practiced statement. Instead, it is not, but interiority and the assumption that we can do what he wants to do because he is the president.

There is no appeal to abstract principles, nor to even basic national security. He does not cite the Constitution nor any of the other parts of the government.

I will note that he also dismisses international law: “I don’t need international law.” He then went on to gripe about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize and to whine about all the wars he allegedly stopped.

And note: I do understand that the US has a long history of ignoring international law when it wants. But it is highly unusual (perhaps unprecedented) for a president to just dismiss it out of hand. Presidents usually either cite the parts of international law that serve their purpose or explain how protecting US interests regrettably require a given action.

And if anyone would like a chilling statement to conclude the post (emphases mine):

Tyler Pager

On the success of the Maduro operation. Does it mean — give you confidence? Or does it mean you’re going to pursue future military action against Mexico or Colombia or other countries in the Caribbean?

President Trump

No, but it — I didn’t need confidence. I have a lot of confidence in my people, in my military. I built the military. Remember this: Our military, when I took over in my first term, was a mess. I rebuilt the entire military, and now I’m doing it even more so. So, our military’s great. And more importantly, we’re the best soldiers.

First, the notion that the military was a mess and that Trump rebuilt it is utter hogwash.

Second, and worse, it is the US military. It is our military. It is not a given president’s military. And any president who thinks that it is his military is dangerous. To again underscore the autocratic mind, note the multiple usage of “my” in that paragraph. And yes, he does shift to “our,” but not only does one wonder how expansive an “out” it is supposed to be, but it does not cancel out calling it “my military.”

We at OTB, along with a lot of people in the wider world, have noted Trump’s fondness for strong men: Putin, Xi, Kim, Erdogan, MBS, etc. It is quite clear that they are his role models.