During an interview on Sunday, Senator John Curtis, a Republican from Utah, humorously dismissed the notion of endorsing a third term for President Donald Trump.
Newsweek sought a response from the White House via email on the same day.
Importance of the Discussion
Despite consistent suggestions from Trump and his supporters regarding a potential third presidential term, most legal experts concur that such a move would breach the U.S. Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms. Trump is currently serving his second and final term.
Democrats have raised concerns ahead of the 2024 campaign, warning that Trump could govern with an authoritarian approach if re-elected. However, former Trump official Steve Bannon, known for his right-wing podcast, suggested last week during an interview with NewsNation that this option might indeed be on the table.
Key Takeaways
Curtis made an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press, hosted by Kristen Welker, on Sunday. Addressing Bannon’s recent statements, Welker prompted the senator with the question, “Is there any scenario in which you would endorse a third term for President Trump, given that it’s not legal under the Constitution?”
Curtis promptly rejected the idea.
“I wouldn’t have supported a third term for George Washington,” he joked, laughing. “That’s a no, yeah,” he continued, still chuckling at the suggestion.
George Washington, the nation’s first president, famously chose to step down after two terms, despite pressure from supporters to seek a third term. His decision set a precedent that most subsequent presidents followed until the U.S. Constitution was amended by the 22nd Amendment in 1951.
The 22nd Amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.”
Some have proposed unconventional methods for Trump to circumvent the Constitution, as repealing the amendment seems nearly impossible in the current political landscape. One suggestion is for Trump to run as the vice-presidential candidate and have the winning presidential nominee step aside after securing victory.
However, legal experts warn that this strategy would likely face constitutional challenges and could be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Others caution that Trump might simply disregard the Constitution and remain in office, with no definitive method to remove him.
In an April 2024 interview with Time magazine, Trump expressed his opposition to amending the 22nd Amendment.
“I wouldn’t be in favor of it at all. I plan to serve for four years and excel in doing so. I aim to restore our country and redirect its course,” he stated.
Screenshot/NBC News/Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Public Reactions
Steve Bannon to NewsNation last week: “I firmly believe President Trump will run and win again in 2028; therefore, I have already endorsed him. A figure like him comes along once every century, if we’re fortunate. We have him now.”
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek on Thursday: “Excluding the potential vice-presidential loophole, there is no legal avenue for Trump to pursue a third term. Politically, he lacks the votes to repeal the 22nd Amendment, both in Congress and the states.”
Representative Dan Goldman, a Democrat from New York, previously stated to Newsweek in January: “By this point, Donald Trump’s behavior is predictable: he makes jokes about something unconstitutional or authoritarian; normalizes the ‘joke’; and lets loyal Republican supporters adopt it as a serious concept until it morphs into MAGA orthodoxy.”
Future Outlook
Trump and his supporters are anticipated to continue suggesting the idea of a third term. While it remains uncertain what exceptional measures the former president might consider to realize this aspiration, most legal analysts agree that no constitutionally sound path exists.
