President Donald Trump’s latest remarks on a potential third term have reignited a debate that refuses to fade.
During a flight to South Korea on Air Force One Wednesday morning, Trump told reporters, “It’s pretty clear, I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” as reported by NBC News.
His nod to the 22nd Amendment, which caps a president’s tenure at two terms, seems to shut down past musings about extending his time in office. Yet, the flicker of regret in his tone suggests the idea still lingers in the minds of some supporters.
Trump has toyed with the notion of a 2028 run before, even telling NBC News in March that he was “not joking” about finding ways to pursue another term. Such comments have rattled critics who see the constitutional limit as a safeguard against unchecked power.
His allies, like Steve Bannon, have fanned the flames, with Bannon declaring to The Economist that Trump “is going to be president in '28 and people just ought to get accommodated with that.” That kind of bravado dismisses the legal barriers as mere inconveniences, ignoring the steep climb required to amend the Constitution.
Trump himself shrugged off Bannon’s bold claim on Monday, saying, “I haven't really thought about it.” That casual dismissal hardly douses the speculation when his own words and merchandise, like “Trump 2028” hats, keep the concept alive.
Amending the Constitution to allow a third term is no small feat, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate or a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Even then, three-fourths of the states must ratify it, a process that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called improbable due to the timeline and support needed.
Johnson reiterated Tuesday that he sees “no path” for such a change, emphasizing a commitment to current priorities over rewriting foundational rules. His stance reflects a pragmatic view that even the most fervent ambitions must bow to structural reality.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., did propose an amendment just days into Trump’s second term to lift the term limit, but the idea has stalled. Without momentum, it remains more of a symbolic gesture than a serious legislative push.
Trump also dismissed the idea of running as vice president under a potential JD Vance candidacy in 2028, saying, “I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute.”
His rejection of such a maneuver, akin to Vladimir Putin’s power-sharing tactic in Russia, signals an awareness of public skepticism toward backdoor strategies. Americans, after all, tend to bristle at anything that smells of political gamesmanship over democratic norms.
Even as Trump points to Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a future ticket, his offhand remark, “I would love to do it,” keeps a toe in the speculative waters. It’s a reminder that while the law stands firm, the appetite for boundary-pushing persists among some circles.
This third-term chatter, fueled by allies and merchandise, risks diverting focus from pressing national challenges that demand attention now. While Trump’s base might relish the idea of an extended reign, it’s hard to argue that tinkering with constitutional bedrock serves the broader public good.
The Constitution isn’t a suggestion; it’s a framework forged through centuries of hard lessons about power’s temptations. If energy spent on hypothetical term extensions were redirected to policy wins, the nation might find itself on firmer ground.
Trump’s latest words may close the door on a third run, but the whispers among supporters ensure the topic won’t vanish quietly. As the political landscape evolves, the real question is whether this distraction will overshadow the work of governing in the present.
