Trump Says ‘Maybe We Like a Dictator’ While Expanding Federal Crackdown and Defending National Guard Deployments

President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that some Americans may prefer a dictator-style leader, during an 80-minute, often off-topic Oval Office appearance in which he signed new orders to intensify federal control over Washington, D.C., and prosecute acts like flag-burning.

“They say ‘we don’t need him. Freedom, freedom. He’s a dictator. He’s a dictator.’ A lot of people are saying: ‘Maybe we like a dictator,’” Trump told reporters. He quickly added, “I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense and a smart person.”

The president’s comments come amid continued controversy over his use of federal forces and sweeping executive powers. Earlier this month, he ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, citing crime concerns, and took direct control of the capital’s police department. On Monday, he signed an executive order mandating prosecution for anyone who burns the U.S. flag, despite a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that protects the act under free speech laws.

“If you burn a flag you get one year in jail — no early exits, no nothing,” Trump declared.

The president also said he was considering sending the military into Democratic-led cities such as Chicago and Baltimore. In June, he dispatched the National Guard to Los Angeles against the wishes of both the city’s mayor and California’s governor.

Trump took aim at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker — a frequent critic — over opposition to potential military involvement in Chicago. “When I see what’s happening to our cities, and then you send them, and instead of being praised, they’re saying, ‘you’re trying to take over the Republic,’” Trump said. “These people are sick.”

Further orders signed Monday include the creation of a special public order unit within Washington’s National Guard and the elimination of cashless bail. Trump also mused about renaming the Department of Defense, saying, “World War Two, it was called the Department of War. Between us, I think we’re going to change the name.”

Critics have long accused Trump of overreaching presidential powers — charges that resurfaced following his threats to override local authorities and his continued crackdown on what he calls “woke” politics and federal bureaucracy.

In his wide-ranging remarks, Trump made several inflammatory statements, including declaring “I love Black People” in response to accusations of racism, only to shortly after refer to a Salvadoran immigrant set for deportation to Uganda as an “animal.”

He also veered into a tangent about an invasive species threatening the Great Lakes. “We have a very, pretty violent fish that comes from China. China carp, Chinese carp. You see them jumping out — they jump into boats and they jump all over the place,” Trump said.

The president concluded the appearance by insulting his Democratic predecessor, calling Joe Biden a “moron,” and brushing off Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine as “big personality conflicts.”

Trump, who previously pledged to be a “dictator on day one” if re-elected, continues to campaign on promises of law-and-order crackdowns and sweeping federal reforms ahead of the November election.