Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by openly entertaining the idea of running for a third term, despite the constitutional two-term limit set by the 22nd Amendment. In a March 30 interview with NBC News, Trump claimed there were “methods” to bypass the restriction, though he did not elaborate on what those methods might be.
While there is no evidence that Trump is actively pursuing a third term, his comments have drawn attention away from other controversies, such as a leaked Signal message chain involving his advisers. Political analysts suggest that the remarks serve to maintain his relevance and freeze the field of potential successors.
Republicans on Capitol Hill have largely dismissed the idea, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling Trump’s comments “probably having some fun with it.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating that the president’s remarks were candid responses to reporters’ questions and not a serious proposal.
Democrats, however, have expressed concern over Trump’s expansive view of executive power and his comments about federal judges, warning of a potential constitutional crisis. Representative Ro Khanna voiced fears that Trump might seek to exert unchecked authority during his second term.
For now, Trump insists he is focused on his current term, though his musings about a third term continue to fuel speculation and debate across the political spectrum.