Speaker Mike Johnson Discusses Constitutional Barriers to Third Term for President Trump

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has weighed in on the growing speculation surrounding the possibility of a third term for former President Donald Trump. At a press conference on Tuesday, Johnson addressed questions about Trump’s comments over the weekend, in which the former president suggested he was "not joking" about the idea of seeking a third term.

Johnson, a former constitutional litigator, firmly stated that changing the Constitution to allow a third term for any president is an extremely difficult and unlikely process. The remarks come after Trump had made multiple references to the idea, prompting serious debate over the feasibility of such a move.

Johnson, who has extensive experience in constitutional law, explained that while there is a theoretical constitutional path to a third term, the process of amending the Constitution is extremely challenging and unlikely. He said, “There’s a constitutional path. You have to amend the Constitution to do it, and that’s a high bar.”

Amending the U.S. Constitution is a rigorous process that requires substantial support from both Congress and the states. According to Johnson, the amendment process would either require the support of two-thirds of both chambers of Congress—meaning a significant level of bipartisan support—or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures, which would then need approval from three-quarters of the states to ratify the amendment.

This high threshold is one of the key reasons why Johnson dismissed the possibility of a third term for Trump. The amendment process is deliberately designed to be difficult, ensuring that significant changes to the nation’s foundational legal framework are not made lightly.

Given the challenges inherent in amending the Constitution, Johnson made it clear that even though Trump may express interest in a third term, the process of actually making that happen is extremely unlikely.

Over the weekend, Trump raised eyebrows during an interview with NBC News when he reiterated his belief that he could seek a third term. Trump has mentioned the idea of a third term several times over the past few months, often in jest, but his recent comments have stirred significant discussion about whether this is a serious pursuit.

Trump said, “A lot of people want me to do it,” pointing to his supporters. He added, “But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration. … I’m focused on the current.”

Despite these comments, it was clear that Trump was not seriously pushing for a third term, as he also expressed a focus on his current efforts and achievements. Nonetheless, Johnson pointed out that some of the discussions he had with Trump on the topic had been lighthearted.

"The president and I have talked about this, joked about it. He’s joked about it with me on stage before,” Johnson said, emphasizing that he took Trump's comments in good humor.

While Trump may continue to float the idea of a third term, it is evident that he is not making a formal push to alter the Constitution to accommodate such a move.

Johnson explained that he takes Trump’s words at face value, indicating that he does not view the former president’s comments as a serious political effort to seek a third term. “You know, we take him at his word,” Johnson said.

Despite the constitutional barriers, Johnson acknowledged that many Americans share a sentiment that Trump has done a lot of good in his first term and would like to see him continue in office for longer.

He said, “I understand why so many Americans do wish that he could run for a third term, because he’s accomplishing so much in this first 100 days that they wish it could go on for much longer.”

Trump’s ability to connect with voters and his direct, often unconventional approach to leadership has left a lasting impact on his supporters. Many of his followers believe that his policies have been effective and that the country would benefit from more time under his leadership.

However, Johnson pointed out that despite this strong support, the U.S. Constitution is clear in limiting presidents to two terms, and any move to change that would require an arduous process that seems unlikely to succeed.

While the idea of a third term for Trump seems far-fetched, it has not gone unnoticed by some members of the Republican Party. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow Trump to run for a third term.

However, the amendment is carefully worded to allow only a president who has served two non-consecutive terms to seek a third, which would prevent former presidents like Barack Obama and George W. Bush from returning to the White House.

This proposal, while an interesting attempt to address the third-term issue, highlights the ongoing interest among some Republicans in finding ways to extend Trump’s political career. However, the amendment faces significant hurdles in both Congress and the states, making its passage a remote possibility at best.

The idea of a third term for Trump is not new. He has made several comments over the past few years, particularly in informal settings, about the possibility of running again. At a House GOP policy retreat in January, Trump mentioned that he thought he was not allowed to run for a third term.

He then turned to Johnson and jokingly asked, “Am I allowed to run again, Mike?” Trump added, “I better not get you involved in that,” suggesting that the conversation was more lighthearted than serious.

In January, Johnson downplayed the third-term talk during a fireside chat with The Hill, saying that Trump was simply “having sport with the media” and that the comment was “clearly tongue-in-cheek.”

Johnson’s dismissal of the third-term idea at that time reinforces the notion that Trump’s comments were more about drawing attention than about making a serious political move.

As the 2024 election cycle draws closer, speculation about Trump’s political future continues to swirl. While his comments about a third term may be more playful than practical, the possibility of another presidential run in 2024 remains a serious consideration.

Trump continues to be a dominant figure in the Republican Party, and his influence on the party’s direction cannot be understated.

For now, the idea of a third term seems to be a non-starter due to the constitutional barriers in place. However, Trump’s political future, whether it involves a return to the White House or not, will likely continue to be a topic of discussion for the foreseeable future.

For Johnson and others, the focus remains on the constitutional limitations that prevent a third term and the significant challenges that would arise if such a change were ever attempted.

The notion of President Trump seeking a third term remains a topic of speculation, but Speaker Mike Johnson’s comments have made it clear that the constitutional hurdles are simply too high to overcome. While many Americans might wish for Trump to continue leading the country, the rules governing presidential terms are set in stone, and the process to amend the Constitution is both challenging and unlikely to succeed.

As for Trump’s future political plans, time will tell whether he runs again in 2024, but for now, the idea of a third term seems firmly out of reach.