Democratic Senator argues Trump's defenders are panicking: 'They feel the noose closing'

The defense strategy for President Donald Trump and his allies has become increasingly brazen and outlandish in recent weeks, and it now includes sweeping claims of executive power and a dismissive attitude toward opponents.

But Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) argued on MSNBC's "The Beat with Ari Melber," these bold assertions are likely signs of the precariousness of the president's position, not his strength.

Last weekend, the president's lawyer argued that it was essentially impossible for the president to obstruct justice, given his office. And this week, Trump has repeatedly claimed that he is certain he can pardon himself — an ambiguous constitutional matter that has never been ruled on — leading many to argue that he sees himself as unconstrained by the legal requirements.

"They're taking the extraordinary position that the president is above the law," she said. "So I think that they feel the noose closing, and they're just basically saying all kind of things. I find their comments just extraordinarily dangerous. We are in a democracy, after all."

She added: "Trump is not king."

Watch the clip below: