GOP Bill Proposes 3rd Term for Trump, Excludes Obama/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) proposed a constitutional amendment allowing Donald Trump, but not Barack Obama, to run for a third term as president. The bill is seen as a partisan stunt unlikely to advance but highlights the growing cult of personality around Trump. This trend reflects a deeper shift in GOP politics as loyalty to Trump intensifies.
Side Headlines:
- Trump Third Term?: Ogles’ amendment faces bipartisan skepticism.
- GOP’s Partisan Move: Bill excludes Obama from seeking a third term.
- Cult of Personality: Critics liken growing Trump loyalty to authoritarianism.
- Lawmaker in Ethics Scandal: Ogles’ proposal may aim to distract from controversies.
GOP Push for Trump’s Third Term: Quick Looks
- Proposed Amendment: Rep. Andy Ogles introduced a bill to allow Trump to seek a third term.
- Excludes Obama: Language specifies eligibility only for non-consecutive two-term presidents.
- Low Prospects: The amendment has no realistic chance of passing.
- Criticism: Viewed as a partisan stunt and a distraction from Ogles’ ethics troubles.
- Larger Trend: Reflects GOP lawmakers’ growing loyalty to Trump over traditional principles.
GOP Bill Proposes 3rd Term for Trump, Excludes Obama
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow Donald Trump to run for a third presidential term. While the bill has virtually no chance of passing, its introduction underscores the deepening influence of Trump’s personality cult within the Republican Party and the shifting priorities of GOP lawmakers in 2025.
The Proposal
Ogles’ amendment specifies that only presidents who served two non-consecutive terms would be eligible for a third. This would permit Trump to run again in 2028 while excluding Barack Obama from seeking a third term. Critics have widely dismissed the measure as a partisan maneuver designed to appeal to Trump’s supporters.
“This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs,” Ogles said in a statement Thursday.
A Partisan Stunt?
Ogles, who has faced mounting scrutiny over ethics allegations, may be using the bill to distract from his political troubles. Introducing the amendment allows him to align closely with Trump and appeal to the former president’s loyal base, even if the measure itself is doomed to fail.
Some critics view the move as indicative of a broader trend in Republican politics.
Filipe Campante, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, described it as a “Kim Jong-Un-style cult of personality” where lawmakers seek attention and favor from Trump through performative acts of loyalty.
Growing Trump Loyalty in the GOP
The amendment is part of a larger trend within the Republican Party. Over the past several weeks, GOP lawmakers have introduced bills that appear tailored to Trump’s whims:
- A bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico after Trump.
- A measure to reclaim the Panama Canal, a Trump talking point.
- Legislation supporting Trump’s wish to purchase Greenland.
- A proposal to eliminate birthright citizenship, echoing Trump’s campaign rhetoric.
While none of these bills are expected to pass, they reflect a growing willingness among GOP lawmakers to prioritize symbolic gestures over substantive policy.
Constitutional Barriers
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, explicitly limits presidents to two terms. Some Trump allies, including Steve Bannon, have floated theories that Trump might already be eligible for a third term, but Ogles’ amendment appears to concede that these interpretations are unfounded.
Even if the amendment were serious, amending the Constitution requires approval from two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures, a nearly impossible hurdle for such a partisan proposal.
Critics Weigh In
Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff under Biden, called the proposal “transparently ridiculous,” adding, “Americans expect lawmakers to focus on governance, not on theatrics.”
Others see the proposal as emblematic of the GOP’s shift toward performative politics. “It’s a race to the bottom,” said Amanda Stasiewicz, a political researcher.
A History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Trump has flirted with the idea of a third term. During his 2020 campaign, he frequently joked about serving beyond the constitutional limits, remarks that critics feared reflected a deeper authoritarian streak.
Trump himself recently said during a Republican conference, “I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s so good, we’ve got to figure something else out,’” a comment that has raised eyebrows despite being framed as a joke.
Broader Implications
The proposed amendment may never gain traction, but it reflects a worrying shift in the GOP’s priorities. Experts warn that the focus on appeasing Trump risks further undermining democratic norms and alienating moderate voters.
As the Republican Party continues to realign itself around Trump’s influence, the line between serious policymaking and political theater becomes increasingly blurred.
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