President Trump did not rule out seeking a third term, which he took office on Sunday, and told NBC News that he “was not kidding” about the possibility, suggesting there is a “way” to bypass the constitutional limitations of two terms laid out.
Trump told “Press the Press” host Kristen Welker that “many of the people” wanted him to serve in his third term, according to a transcript of an interview provided by the network.
“A lot of people want me to do that,” he said. “But for us, my thoughts, we have a long way to go. I'm focusing on the present.”
Attempts to seek a third term fell into a violation of the 22nd Amendment, where “a person must not be elected more than once in the President's Office.”
On Sunday, after the release of the interview, the White House repeated Trump points, adding that he is focusing on his current term, and that the idea is “too early to think about.”
“Americans overwhelmingly approve and support President Trump and his first American policy,” White House communications director Stephen Chong said in a statement. He added that Trump is focusing on “undoing all the wounds” and “making America great again” that was done by the Biden administration.
Trump often kept quiet about the idea of a third term, especially at rallying and speeches that pleased his supporters, but he has often treated it to a humorous sideline. The interview was the first time Trump had shown he was seriously considering an idea. Already he likened himself to the king, showing his affinity for an authoritarian leader, and constitutional experts and historians demonstrated governance tactics compared to authoritarianism.
Trump's allies amplified the possibility that he could serve another term. Three days after Trump was sworn in for the second time, Tennessee's Andy Ogres proposed an amendment to the constitution that would allow Trump to qualify for a third term. Such measures are extremely difficult. Constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of Parliament and subsequent three-quarters of ratification.
Congressional Democrats were concerned about the possibility of such a law and introduced a resolution that prevents loopholes from two terms of restrictions.
In an interview, Welker pointed out that he had heard him joke about his third term multiple times. Trump has made it clear that he considers it a real possibility.
“No, no, I'm not a joke,” he said. “I'm not kidding.”
Welker asked if Trump had offered the plan, and he said he wasn't, but added, “There's a way you can do that.”
Welker suggested one possibility. All you need to do is put Vice President JD Vance at the top of the ticket in 2028 and hand the office to Trump after winning. Trump admitted that it was “one” way that could happen.
“But there are other things,” he said. “There are other things,” Trump refused to say what they were.
Derek T. Muller, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame and an election law scholar, said there are opposition to the provisions of the 22nd amendment. However, he said such a route would be complicated by the 12th Amendment.
Mueller pointed out that the 12th Amendment states that “people who are not constitutionally ineligible to the President's office are not eligible for the Vice President of the United States.”
Mueller said he is highly doubtful that it would provide a path to Trump's third term.
“In addition to this complex legal theory, there are so many pieces to be placed so that this is practically feasible,” he said.
Speaking to reporters on the Air Force later Sunday, Trump attempted to divert questions about his previous statement that he was open to seeking a third term. He repeatedly said he didn't want to talk about it, but he repeated what many people asked him.
When asked in January 2029 if that meant he wouldn't resign, Trump said, “I didn't see it.”
