During an exclusive interview with ABC News on Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deportation matter involving El Salvador that has sparked attention. While some argue Trump could single-handedly intervene, the president made it clear: he’s following the law, even if that means holding back on a personal decision.
ABC’s Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran pressed Trump directly, asking whether he’d use the power of the presidency to make a call to El Salvador and demand Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States.
“You could get him back,” Moran said. “There’s a phone on this desk. You could pick it up and with all the power of the presidency, you could call up the president of El Salvador and say, send him back right now.”
Trump’s response showed both his awareness of legal limits and his own instincts.
“I could. And if he were the gentleman that you say he is, I would do that,” Trump answered.
But the situation isn’t that simple. Trump explained that the decision isn’t entirely up to him, as legal procedures and advisors must be considered.
“I’m not the one making this decision. We have lawyers who don’t want to do this, Terry,” Trump continued. “I follow the law. You want me to follow the law. If I were the president that just wanted to do anything, I’d probably keep him right where he is.”
What’s noteworthy here is how Trump is drawing a line between power and principle. Despite the media often painting him as heavy-handed, Trump emphasized he’s playing by the rules — even when it might be easier politically to do otherwise.
By saying, “If I were the president that just wanted to do anything, I’d probably keep him right where he is,” Trump hinted at the kind of overreach his critics accuse him of — and showed he’s not following that path. Instead, he’s relying on the rule of law and allowing the legal process to play out, regardless of personal preferences or political pressure.
This is a far cry from the activist-style governing many Americans saw during the Biden years, where executive action frequently bulldozed longstanding legal checks.
President Trump’s comments reveal a leader who isn’t shying away from tough cases — but also one who understands the importance of respecting legal boundaries. That balance is what many in the conservative base believe was missing before his return to office.
With ongoing scrutiny around how immigration and deportation cases are handled, this moment may be remembered as yet another example of Trump doing what his critics least expect: following the law — and doing it his way.
