Trump claims authority to deploy military domestically without court interference

President Donald Trump spoke to the press Tuesday while flying to South Korea aboard Air Force One and made remarks about his authority to deploy U.S. military forces to the country — which will likely raise legal and political concerns.

Trump was traveling to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

At the press conference, Trump asserted that he could deploy U.S. military forces to U.S. cities if necessary, saying “the courts would not be involved.”

Speaking to reporters, he said he would consider using military forces beyond the National Guard if the need arose.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea October 29, 2025 in Japan. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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“I would do it if I had to,” he said. “It hasn’t been necessary. We’re doing a great job without it.”

Trump also claimed that as president he had the authority to take such actions.

“If I want to adopt a certain act, I have the right to do it systematically,” he said. “I would be allowed to do whatever I want… You understand the courts wouldn’t get involved. Nobody would get involved.”

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U.S. President Donald Trump is greeted by South Korean officials upon his arrival at Gyeongju Airport on October 29, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

He added: “I could send the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines. I can send whoever I wanted, but I haven’t because we’re doing so well.”

Trump made a point of using San Francisco as an example, describing how federal officials were “all ready to go last Saturday” in the city but hesitated after local leaders asked for a chance to take care of it themselves.

“We would have solved this problem in less than a month,” he said, adding that federal intervention “would be much faster and much more effective.”

He also highlighted what he described as progress in other parts of the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump is greeted by South Korean officials upon his arrival at Gyeongju Airport on October 29, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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“Memphis is making tremendous progress,” Trump said. “It’s down, I think, almost 70%, 60 to 70%. And within two or three weeks, there would be almost no crime.”

The president is scheduled to meet with Xi on Wednesday to discuss fentanyl trafficking, trade policy and border security.