I think he knew it was NOT a deal breaker, he knew that Congress would ignore the constitutional requirement. So, not only is he a lying snake, he knows that Congress is too, and that Congress (and the courts) would cover his ass.
Better observation than I, and it’s an important distinction. How corrupt is our Congress? Out of all of the GOP Reps., perhaps a handful at best- would buck the system.
See the vote for Speaker of the House- for John Boehner’s last election to this position. Only a handful of congress critters voted nay.