Trump’s Third Term Push Threatens U.S. Democracy

Trump Teases a Third Term — A Move That Would Endanger American Democracy.

Despite the clear constitutional limit barring any U.S. president from serving more than two terms, Donald Trump is once again pushing the boundaries of American democracy — and hinting at a third term in office. The Trump Organization recently began selling red caps emblazoned with "Trump 2028," priced at $50, fueling speculation about another presidential bid after he would have already served two terms.

The release of the hat comes after Trump openly floated the idea of extending his grip on power. Asked in an NBC interview about serving beyond two terms, Trump chillingly said, "There are methods which you could do it," adding, "I'm not joking... a lot of people want me to do it." When questioned about whether he would want to continue serving in what is often called "the toughest job in the country," Trump responded simply: "Well, I like working."

Trump has long flirted with authoritarian rhetoric. In January, he told supporters it would be "the greatest honour of my life to serve not once, but twice or three times or four times," though he later claimed he was only joking to provoke the "fake news media." But actions often speak louder than words: the sale of "Trump 2028" hats and repeated mentions of loopholes in the Constitution are far from jokes — they are warning signs.

President Trump in the Presidential Suite at Walter Reed

The Constitutional Roadblock — and the Dangerous Attempts to Circumvent It

The U.S. Constitution, through the 22nd Amendment, is crystal clear:

"No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice..."

Changing this would require monumental political effort: a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, plus ratification from three-quarters of state legislatures — a virtually impossible feat, especially given that Democrats control 18 of the 50 state legislatures. Yet despite the towering barriers, Trump and his allies continue to probe for ways around them.

One theory being floated by Trump loyalists hinges on a disturbing technicality: while the 22nd Amendment bans someone from being elected president more than twice, it says nothing about succeeding to the presidency. In this twisted interpretation, Trump could run as vice president alongside a candidate like J.D. Vance in 2028. Should they win, the new president could simply resign, allowing Trump to ascend once more to the presidency — not through election, but by succession.

Steve Bannon, Trump's former adviser, even suggested that there are "a couple of alternatives" to achieving this end. Trump himself told Time magazine:

"There are some loopholes that have been discussed. But I don't believe in loopholes."

Yet his continued public musing about those very loopholes, combined with the marketing of Trump 2028 merchandise, shows a pattern: setting the stage for a constitutional crisis.

Republican Representative Andy Ogles has gone even further, introducing a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment that would allow presidents to serve three terms, provided they are non-consecutive. The proposal seems tailor-made for Trump, who lost re-election in 2020 but returned to power in 2024. Unsurprisingly, the idea has been called a "pipe dream," with little chance of passing — but it has nonetheless sparked alarm among those who see it for what it is: an overt assault on democratic norms.

Widespread Opposition — But Will It Be Enough?

Opposition to the idea spans both parties. Democrats have been vocal about the dangers. Representative Daniel Goldman warned:

"This is yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy."

Some Republicans also recognize the peril. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said he would oppose any effort to rewrite the Constitution:

"I'm not changing the constitution, first of all, unless the American people chose to do that."

Even Representative Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma, dismissed the idea as "too fanciful to really discuss seriously."

Legal scholars are equally clear: there is no legitimate path for Trump to legally serve a third term. Derek Muller, election law professor at the University of Notre Dame, emphasized that the Constitution's 12th Amendment prevents someone ineligible for the presidency from even serving as vice president. As he bluntly put it:

"I don't think there's any 'one weird trick' to getting around presidential term limits."

Jeremy Paul, constitutional law professor at Northeastern University, was even more direct:

There are "no credible legal arguments" for a Trump third term.

A Dangerous Precedent — and a Hope for the Future

America has faced threats to its democratic traditions before, but few as bold and brazen as this. The last time a president served more than two terms, Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the country through the Great Depression and World War II — extraordinary times that justified extraordinary measures. In response, the 22nd Amendment was passed in 1951 to ensure that no future leader could entrench themselves in power.

The mere idea of Donald Trump — a figure who has repeatedly demonstrated contempt for democratic norms — maneuvering his way into a third term should terrify anyone who values the rule of law. The strength of America's institutions has always been tested by those who seek to subvert them for personal gain.

Let us hope the Constitution holds firm. And let us hope that Donald Trump's dream of a third term remains just that — a dangerous fantasy, never a reality.