Trump’s Rumor Mongering about a 3rd Term: A Strategy of Destruction

A third term sounds like nonsense, but unfortunately it’s not. Trump and his loyalists are capable of anything.

He’s not joking, President Trump said repeatedly over the weekend when speaking to reporters about the possibility of a third term. “Many people” have urged him to do so, but there’s still time. Ten days ago, Steve Bannon, Trump’s former White House strategist, said in a TV interview that he and others are working on ways to enable this “president of the century” to serve more years in office.

As journalists, we repeatedly warn ourselves not to respond to every provocation. But it would be negligent not to take seriously what Trump and Bannon are saying publicly.

It is common knowledge that the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution allows two four-year presidential terms. On closer examination, however, that’s not actually the case. The Constitution merely prohibits a person from being elected more than twice. What might this hold for someone who attempted a violent coup to overturn his 2020 election defeat? Legal experts are examining key amendments to the Constitution, namely the 12th and 22nd, for potential loopholes.

Moreover, we can completely expect such moves from someone who, during the first two months of his second term, has crossed legal lines with every other decree, including constitutional amendments and who has been granted absolute immunity by the Supreme Court. Destruction and crisis are a strategy.

This may be what sets the U.S. apart from other countries, ranging from Peru to Russia, where hegemonic presidents simply amend their constitutions to remain in power. The U.S. Constitution, in contrast, is one of the most difficult documents in the world to change. Two-third majorities must vote in both houses of Congress, and the amendment must be approved by three quarters of the states — that isn’t possible.

It appears to be far easier for Trump to disregard laws than to amend them. If his own party does not raise a stop sign, the road will continue to spin into the abyss.