Trump Says He’s Considering Ways to Serve Third Term as President

President Donald Trump recently made headlines by announcing that Wednesday would be “Liberation Day,” promising to roll out new tariffs aimed at “freeing” the United States from foreign goods. Although details surrounding the tariffs remain unclear, Trump emphasized that CEOs would be attending the White House to discuss major investments in U.S. projects to avoid these import taxes. Despite warnings from economists about the negative impact on American families, Trump remains steadfast in his approach.

A Third Term? Trump’s Controversial Ambitions

In a statement that has sparked debate, Trump also expressed interest in serving a third term as President of the United States. Speaking on March 30, 2025, he told NBC News, “I’m not joking” about pursuing a third term, despite the constitutional limitations set by the 22nd Amendment, which prevents any president from being elected more than twice. Trump’s remarks raised eyebrows, particularly as he referred to the 2020 election as “totally rigged,” continuing his claims that he was unfairly defeated by Joe Biden. Trump hinted that there could be methods to bypass the constitutional constraints, though he did not go into specifics. He added that he had received numerous requests from supporters asking him to pursue a third term, further fueling speculation about his future political plans.

Legal Challenges and Reactions from Experts

Trump’s comments have drawn mixed reactions from political experts and lawmakers. Some, like constitutional law professor Jeremy Paul, dismissed the idea of a third term as legally untenable. “There are no credible legal arguments for him to run for a third term,” Paul stated. Meanwhile, others speculated that Trump’s remarks were more about showing strength as a lame-duck president than any serious attempt to alter the Constitution. Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat, sharply criticized Trump’s ambitions, accusing him of trying to dismantle democracy. Goldman emphasized that Congress should act to block any moves toward a third term. On the other hand, some of Trump’s supporters, such as Steve Bannon, have called for him to run again, with Bannon advocating for a potential 2028 presidential bid.

Potential Pathways and Constitutional Barriers

Although Trump has suggested that there could be alternative paths to a third term, experts remain unconvinced. Trump speculated about the possibility of Vice President JD Vance running for president and “passing the baton” to him, but legal scholars argue that such a scenario would likely violate the 12th Amendment, which prevents anyone ineligible to be president from running for vice president.

Derek Muller, an election law expert, noted that any attempt by Trump to extend his presidency would face formidable legal and institutional challenges. Pursuing a third term would require not only constitutional changes but also the support of federal and state officials, as well as the courts and voters. Muller suggested that Trump’s talk about a third term was likely a political move to maintain his influence and position as a powerful figure in American politics. In the face of legal and political obstacles, it remains unclear whether Trump will seriously pursue a third term or if his statements are merely part of his ongoing effort to dominate the national political conversation.