Trump Also Considers 'Scenario Exploiting Constitutional Loopholes'
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that there is a way for him to run for a third presidential term after completing his second term, while Pam Bondi, the Attorney General appointed by Trump, firmly stated that "Trump's term will end in 2028."
President Donald Trump of the United States conducting the appointment ceremony for new Attorney General Pam Bondi and taking a commemorative photo in the White House Oval Office on February 5th this year (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News
On the 6th, Bondi said in an interview with Fox News regarding the possibility of Trump's third-term run, "It would be great if we could have him as president for 20 years, but his (presidency) will probably end after this term," emphasizing, "We need to look at the Constitution." The current 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stipulates that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." Bondi, therefore, made it clear that a third term is impossible under the U.S. Constitution.
Earlier, on the 30th of last month, President Trump stated in an NBC interview, "A third-term run is not a joke," and claimed, "There are ways to do that." He said, "Many people want me to do that, and I like working." When the interviewer mentioned a "scenario exploiting constitutional loopholes" circulating among supporters, Trump added, "That's one way." This "scenario" involves Trump running as a vice-presidential candidate in the 2028 presidential election, winning, and then assuming the presidency after the elected president resigns shortly after inauguration. Trump’s supporters argue that the Constitution limits the number of times a person can be elected president to two but does not explicitly prohibit assuming the presidency through succession, thus supporting this scenario.
Representative Andy Ogles introduced a constitutional amendment in January that would allow a third presidential term if the terms are not consecutive. If passed, this would permit a third term for someone like Trump, who has a gap between his first and second terms.
However, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on the 31st of last month, "Since you keep asking that question, (Trump) is just joking," adding, "He’s probably teasing you." Thune’s remarks were interpreted as a low likelihood of a third-term run in reality. Pro-Trump Senator Markwayne Mullin also drew a line, saying, "Changing the Constitution is up to the people."
Nevertheless, U.S. media pointed out that since Trump already attempted to overturn the 2020 election results and even incited the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, his hints at a third term raise political alarm despite constitutional prohibitions. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders emphasized in a CBS interview that day, "They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not believe in the Constitution," and added, "So I will take it (Trump’s hint at a third-term run) seriously." Meanwhile, President Trump, born in 1946, will be 82 years old in 2028 when he completes his second term.
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