Trump Suggests Third Term, Stirring Constitutional Alarms/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said Sunday he is seriously considering a third term in office, despite the Constitution’s two-term limit. He hinted at potential legal and political workarounds, stirring sharp criticism and legal skepticism. Constitutional scholars and lawmakers warn it’s a dangerous move toward authoritarianism.
Trump Third Term Suggestion Sparks Constitutional Firestorm – Quick Look
- Trump Speaks Out: President Donald Trump told NBC News he’s “not joking” about seeking a third term.
- Hints at Strategy: He floated the idea of Vice President JD Vance running, then “passing the baton.”
- Constitutional Barrier: The 22nd Amendment restricts U.S. presidents to two elected terms.
- Legal Experts React: Constitutional scholars say there’s no credible path to a third term.
- Critics Respond: Democrats say Trump is edging closer to dismantling democratic norms.
- Public Opinion Split: Supporters at rallies say they’d welcome another term; opponents see a threat.
- Political Theater or Plan?: Experts say the idea may be political posturing to avoid lame-duck status.
- No GOP Leadership Response: Congressional leaders have yet to comment on Trump’s statement.
Deep Look: Trump Hints at Third Term, Stirring Constitutional Alarms
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump on Sunday gave his clearest indication yet that he is seriously exploring options to remain in office beyond 2029, despite the Constitution’s two-term limit.
In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump said bluntly, “I’m not joking,” when asked about serving a third term. “There are methods which you could do it,” he added, without offering specifics.
Later, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed growing public pressure for him to continue leading beyond his current term, saying,
“I’ve had more people ask me to have a third term, which in a way is a fourth term because the 2020 election was totally rigged.” That election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden, has been thoroughly reviewed with no evidence of fraud.
Despite his comments, Trump also offered a contradictory note: “I don’t want to talk about a third term now because no matter how you look at it, we’ve got a long time to go.”
Legal Barriers and Constitutional Reality
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency, explicitly limits presidents to two terms. Trump would be 82 when his second term ends in 2029.
“There are no credible legal arguments for him to run for a third term,” said Jeremy Paul, a constitutional law professor at Northeastern University.
Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller pointed out that the 12th Amendment would also block Trump from serving as vice president, ruling out a potential backdoor strategy. “There’s no ‘one weird trick’ to circumvent the Constitution,” Muller said.
Political Motivations and Messaging
Some experts believe Trump’s talk of a third term may be less about actual intent and more about optics.
“Lame-duck presidents often try to project continued power,” said Muller. “This may be about projecting strength and energizing supporters rather than launching a legal coup.”
Democratic Outrage
Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY), lead counsel for Trump’s first impeachment, condemned the remarks.
“This is yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy,” Goldman said. “If Congressional Republicans believe in the Constitution, they will go on the record opposing Trump’s ambitions for a third term.”
Support From the Base
At a campaign event in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump supporters voiced approval.
“America needs him,” said Kayla Thompson, a 30-year-old former paralegal. “If he doesn’t do it, we’re probably headed backward.”
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, has also publicly called for Trump to run again in 2028, echoing sentiments shared across right-wing media and MAGA-aligned influencers.
Trump’s Idea: JD Vance as a Placeholder?
NBC’s Kristen Welker asked Trump directly whether his vice president, JD Vance, could run for president and then step aside.
“That’s one,” Trump replied. “But there are others too.”
He declined to elaborate.
Vance’s office has not commented on the statement.
A Legacy of Norm-Breaking
This is not the first time Trump has floated the idea of extending his presidency. In January, while addressing House Republicans, he joked, “Am I allowed to run again?”
However, Sunday’s remarks marked a shift from offhand humor to a more serious tone.
Even so, Trump’s insistence on his enduring popularity contradicts polling data.
While he claimed to have “the highest poll numbers of any Republican in the last 100 years,”
Gallup data shows that President George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush reached significantly higher approval ratings during their terms.
Trump’s highest recorded Gallup approval rating stands at 47%.
Conclusion
While Trump has not formally announced an effort to pursue a third term, his rhetoric is raising alarms among constitutional experts, political opponents, and election law scholars alike. Whether it’s a trial balloon or the start of a serious campaign, the idea challenges decades of democratic precedent — and raises fresh questions about the durability of American institutions in the Trump era.
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