How Serious is Trump’s Third-Term Tease?

 How Serious is Trump’s Third-Term Tease?

Former President Donald Trump has never been one to shy away from pushing boundaries, and now, as he continues to hold immense political influence, his casual musings about running for a third term have become a subject of intense scrutiny. Trump’s flirtations with the idea have sparked questions about whether he's serious or simply engaging in his usual brand of political showmanship. While the Constitution unequivocally prohibits him from running for a third term, his repeated comments raise significant political and legal implications.

Trump's remarks about serving multiple terms aren’t entirely new. At a rally in Nevada in January, Trump jokingly said, “It will be the greatest honor of my life to serve, not once but twice or three times or four times.” He followed up with a clarification, saying, “No, it will be to serve twice. For the next four years, I will not rest.” The comments, which blend humor with political posturing, make for headlines but also reflect his deep desire to dominate the political stage.

In addition to his public comments, Trump has leaned into comparisons to monarchs. He has made light of the notion that he could simply bypass the legal constraints, particularly when discussing topics like birthright citizenship and the power of the presidency. His Vice President, JD Vance, recently suggested that Trump could ignore court rulings that limit his power, implying that Trump might consider skipping over the Constitution if it suits his agenda.

At a Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) gathering, Trump supporters were vocal in their encouragement for him to run again in 2028. Stephen Bannon, a former Trump ally, led the crowd in chants for Trump to return to office, claiming that the country needed him. This support isn’t limited to rallies and speeches; Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee even introduced legislation to amend the 22nd Amendment, proposing that former presidents could serve a third term if they served non-consecutive terms.

The Legal Hurdles

Despite the enthusiastic backing from his base, the road to a third term is legally blocked by the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. The amendment, ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in office, is clear in its prohibition. The text states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice…” Thus, no president can serve more than two elected terms.

Amending the Constitution to repeal or change the 22nd Amendment is no easy feat. It would require two-thirds votes in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-quarters of the states. No amendment has been successfully ratified since the 1990s, and the process is cumbersome and highly unlikely. Furthermore, some of Trump’s supporters, including Senator Markwayne Mullin, have expressed skepticism about the idea of changing the Constitution. Mullin remarked that he views Trump’s talk of a third term as a joke and stressed that any change to the Constitution would require a broad consensus, which seems nearly impossible to achieve.

Political Reality

Even though Trump’s comments about serving beyond the two-term limit are not legally feasible, the political reality is that Trump has never let the Constitution or established norms stand in his way. He is known for challenging the status quo, whether by trying to reshape policies or disregarding established conventions. For example, his attempts to end birthright citizenship, though blocked by courts, reflect his willingness to test the limits of constitutional interpretation. He has also argued that his expansive view of presidential immunity should shield him from legal consequences, a stance that courts have sometimes supported.

Nathan L. Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections, believes that Trump’s consistent disregard for norms makes it likely that he would continue to challenge the two-term limit. “Challenging norms is what Trump does, and that’s partly why Republicans love him,” Gonzales argues. His readiness to push boundaries—whether through policy changes or by rewriting the rules to fit his ambitions—suggests that he might not back down easily.

Furthermore, Trump’s supporters have often embraced his unconventional approach to governance. In countries like Russia and Turkey, leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan have found ways around term limits. While the American system of checks and balances is stronger, the idea that Trump could, hypothetically, challenge the Constitution and attempt to remain in power beyond the legal limit cannot be entirely ruled out.

Another suggestion, particularly among his more zealous supporters, is that Trump could run for vice president in 2028 and then assume the presidency if the sitting president resigned. While this would be an extraordinary maneuver, it highlights the lengths to which Trump’s supporters are willing to go in their desire to keep him in power.

Trump's Mixed Signals

Despite the persistent rumors and comments about his political future, Trump has also signaled that he is content with a one-term presidency. In an interview with Time in April 2024, long before his political resurgence, Trump indicated that he was satisfied with serving just one term. “I’m going to serve one term, I’m gonna do a great job. We’re gonna have a very successful country again… And then I’m gonna leave,” he said.

This statement presents a stark contrast to the more recent remarks about a third term. Trump’s contradictions could simply be part of his tendency to keep his options open, knowing that his supporters remain loyal regardless of his shifting rhetoric.

Conclusion

While the idea of Donald Trump serving a third term remains firmly within the realm of political fantasy, his ongoing flirtation with the notion is a testament to his ability to shape the political discourse. Despite the constitutional barriers, Trump has always managed to redefine what is considered politically possible. His ability to challenge norms and rally his base suggests that while a third term is legally impossible, his influence over the GOP and American politics may persist for years to come.

As of now, Trump's comments about a third term should be viewed as part of his broader strategy to remain at the center of political conversation. Whether he genuinely pursues this idea or uses it as a means to maintain his dominance remains to be seen. However, given his history of pushing boundaries, it is clear that Trump will continue to test the limits of American political norms.