Pam Bondi Says Trump Will ‘Probably’ Stop After Second Term, But Leaves Possibility of Third Term Open

Bondi says Trump will 'probably' leave after second term - ABC News

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said during an interview on Sunday that she believes Donald Trump will most likely finish his political career after a second term. However, her wording left the door open to the idea that he might try for a third term, which is currently not allowed under the U.S. Constitution.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Bondi said Trump had already served one term, is currently in his second, and added that she personally wished he could serve for 20 years. She said, “He’s a very smart man,” and added that she thinks “he’s going to be finished probably after this term.”

The key word “probably” immediately drew attention, as it left uncertainty. When the host asked for clarification, Bondi said, “We’d have to look at the Constitution,” suggesting that she wasn’t completely ruling out a third term.

Trump himself has recently talked about the idea of a third term, and not always in a joking way. In a recent interview with NBC News, he said he was “not joking” about running again after 2028. He also said there are “methods” people close to him are exploring, although he didn’t explain what those methods were.

These statements have caused concern among legal scholars, political analysts, and some members of the public. The U.S. Constitution, specifically the 22nd Amendment, clearly says that no person can be elected to the office of President more than twice.

That means Trump, having already served one term from 2017 to 2021, and now aiming for another, would legally be finished after 2028.

Changing the Constitution is possible but extremely difficult. It requires a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it must also be approved by three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Bondi herself seemed to recognize that this would be unlikely, saying that amending the Constitution would be “a heavy lift.”

Bondi says Trump will 'probably' leave after second term - ABC News

Despite the constitutional limit, Trump has continued to float the idea of a third term in interviews and at rallies. Over the years, he has said things like “we might have to do it again” or that he deserves a “redo” of his first term due to the Russia investigation and other controversies.

In some speeches, he has hinted that he might try to stay in office longer than allowed, and although many of those moments were said with a smile, they have sparked real concern.

Some of Trump’s supporters take his third-term talk as a joke or a way to stir up excitement. Others believe he is testing the waters to see how the public and political system might respond.

Bondi’s comment that “we’d have to look at the Constitution” gave the idea more weight than usual, making people wonder if this is something Trump’s team is truly considering.

Trump’s political brand has long been based on pushing boundaries and challenging norms. During his time in office, he regularly questioned the authority of federal institutions, criticized judges and law enforcement, and claimed that elections were rigged when the results didn’t go in his favor.

His approach has won him loyal followers who see him as a fighter, but it has also raised concerns among critics who worry about the future of democratic institutions in the U.S.

Legal experts say there is no loophole in the Constitution that would allow Trump to run again after two terms. One constitutional law professor said there is “no wiggle room” in the 22nd Amendment.

It is not based on tradition, like the two-term limit was before Roosevelt; it is now law. According to these experts, even if Trump were to run again, the courts would quickly shut it down, and it would likely lead to a major legal and political crisis.

Still, even suggesting the possibility of a third term can have an impact. It keeps Trump in the spotlight and fuels the idea that he is the only one who can “save” the country, a message he often repeats.

Some political strategists believe this is part of his long-term plan to stay relevant and powerful, even if he doesn’t truly intend to break the law.

One analyst said Trump’s third-term talk “is about branding, not planning.” It creates drama, gives his base something to cheer for, and makes his rivals hesitate. I

f other Republicans think Trump might stick around for another eight years instead of just four, they may decide not to challenge him or begin preparing to take over leadership.

Bondi says Trump will 'probably' leave after second term - ABC News

Pam Bondi’s remarks, while not an official statement from the Trump campaign, reflect how people close to him are talking. By saying “probably” and not “definitely,” she left room for speculation. And in politics, even one word can change how a story is interpreted.

Some have suggested that her comments were part of a strategy to test how the public would react if the idea of a third term becomes more serious.

The reaction to Bondi’s interview has been mixed. Trump supporters defended her, saying she was only speaking positively about Trump and not actually suggesting he break the law.

Critics, however, said her comments were dangerous and that she should have clearly said a third term is not allowed. They argue that even hinting at ignoring the Constitution is a bad message to send.

As for Trump himself, he hasn’t made any direct response to Bondi’s comments yet. But given his history of reacting strongly to news coverage, it’s likely that he has noticed the attention her interview received.

The next presidential election is still years away, but discussions like this show how Trump continues to shape the political conversation. Whether he wins a second term or not, the fact that his allies are talking about the possibility of more time in office shows how powerful his influence remains in American politics.

For now, there is no legal path for Trump to serve more than two terms. But as long as the idea is being talked about, even in vague terms like “probably” or “we’d have to look at the Constitution,” people will continue to watch what he and his team say next.

What Pam Bondi, Trump's new AG pick, has said about investigating DOJ  prosecutors - ABC News

This situation highlights how language in politics can be both powerful and dangerous. A single word like “probably” can turn a basic interview into a national headline. It also shows how Trump’s inner circle continues to shape narratives and test public reactions, often in subtle ways.

Even though Bondi didn’t say Trump would run again after a second term, she didn’t say he wouldn’t. And in Trump-world, that kind of open door can mean a lot.