Republican lawmakers downplay Trump’s talk of a potential third term: 'Treat it as humor'
WASHINGTON - Republican lawmakers largely downplayed President Donald Trump’s latest comments on potentially seeking a third term, arguing that he’s joking even though Trump recently insisted he’s serious about his proposal.
Trump has previously floated the idea of a third term (which is unconstitutional), though he took it a step further on Sunday when he told NBC News in an interview there were “methods” by which one could do it. He also entertained the idea of running against former President Barack Obama in 2028 on Monday.
“I’d love that. That would be a good one. I’d like that," he told reporters, before switching to whether he'd run in 2028. “I never looked into it. They do say there’s a way you can do it, but I don’t know about that.”
The 22nd amendment of the Constitution bars anyone from being elected to the presidency more than twice. It was passed by Congress in 1947 and ratified by the states in 1951, after former President Franklin D. Roosevelt had served four terms.
But Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill laughed off Trump's remarks.
“It’s all tongue and cheek… You guys are blowing it way out of proportion. Last time I checked, the 22nd amendment still applies. You guys make such a big deal about everything, I think the president's having fun with you,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.
“I think I can only treat it as humor,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Amending the Constitution is a ‘high bar,’ Johnson says
To change the Constitution, an amendment can be proposed either by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate, or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures, according to the National Archives. Then, 38 out of 50 (or three-fourths) states must ratify the proposed amendment.
Anthony Michael Kreis, an assistant professor at the Georgia State University College of Law, told Paste BN that undergo such a process to extend the presidential term limits would be impossible.
“There’s an absolutely zero chance of getting a two-thirds majority in either chamber to propose a constitutional amendment to the states. It’s DOA (dead on arrival),” he said.
And some Republicans acknowledged the difficulties, too. “I don’t think it’ll happen,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a moderate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., a former constitutional attorney, said that amending the Constitution is a “high bar.”
"The president and I have talked about this, joked about it. He’s joked about it with me on stage before,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday, referring to talks of a third term. “But I think he recognizes the Constitutional limitations, and I'm not sure that there's a move about to amend the Constitution.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.Dak., said that Trump may not be joking. But “I bet he’s very amused by the response," he added.
“He loves floating crazy ideas, big ideas. Sometimes one of them works out. This is one in my position that couldn’t work out,” he said.
Rather, Republicans say their focus is on advancing Trump’s agenda.
“My focus is on making sure he has the best second term of any president,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said, “We're just two months into this (term). So I'm not going to worry about that four years from now.”
Will there be a potential Trump 2028 run down the line?
Though 2028 is still far away, there are still Republicans that seem ready to back efforts allowing Trump to run for office again.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced a House Joint Resolution - three days after Trump was sworn into office - to amend the Constitution and allow a president to serve for up to three terms, arguing that Trump “must be given the time necessary” to restore “America to greatness.”
No action, however, has been taken on the resolution, and it is unlikely to pass.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said he thinks the president’s talks of a third term are done in jest. “But I would support him if he want to change the Constitution, lead that effort,” he added.
Others appear to be open to discussions on the matter.
“First of all, let's get our business done. And if we're gonna do anything like that, let's go through the process of adjusting the Constitution,” said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., adding that he didn’t know the context of Trump’s latest remarks.
Pressed on whether he would be supportive of such an effort, Donalds said, “Let's actually talk to the president about that directly.”
Cramer said “it's hard” for him to see how changing the Constitution “would ever happen” while Trump is still president.
“But, if he wanted to go about that, he could do that, I'd be willing to listen,” he said.