Speaker Johnson Says ‘No Legal Path’ for Third Trump Term/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed there is no constitutional path for Donald Trump to seek a third presidential term. Johnson cited the 22nd Amendment during a press conference while addressing speculation fueled by Trump allies. The former president dismissed the idea publicly but did not fully rule it out.
Third Term Talk Shut Down by Speaker Quick Looks
- Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not see a legal path for a Trump third term.
- He referenced the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two elected terms.
- The comment came after Steve Bannon suggested a plan to keep Trump in office past 2029.
- Johnson said he had discussed the issue directly with Trump.
- Trump dismissed the idea of becoming VP or serving again as president through legal maneuvering.
- He called such a plan “too cute” but stopped short of fully rejecting it.
- Speculation over a third term has grown ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- Constitutional scholars agree the 22nd Amendment prohibits any such attempt.
- The issue is adding political fuel amid the ongoing government shutdown.
- Johnson’s remarks came during a press briefing on Capitol Hill.
Deep Look
Speaker Mike Johnson Affirms Constitutional Limits: “No Path” for Trump Third Term
WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday on renewed speculation that President Donald Trump could pursue a third term in office, asserting that the U.S. Constitution does not allow it.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Capitol, Johnson said he had personally spoken with Trump about the idea and that both agreed on the constraints of the 22nd Amendment, which limits U.S. presidents to two terms in office.
“It’s been a great run,” Johnson said. “But I think the president knows, and he and I’ve talked about, the constrictions of the Constitution.”
Why the Third Term Rumors Reignited
The conversation was reignited following an interview by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who told The Economist that a plan was in place to potentially keep Trump in power past 2029.
“At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is,” Bannon said, without offering details.
Some of the more speculative theories circulating among Trump’s supporters suggest he could run as vice president and later ascend to the presidency — a scenario many legal experts quickly dismissed as unconstitutional and politically unworkable.
Trump himself addressed the idea during a public appearance Monday. “It’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right,” he said. Still, when pressed on whether he would fully rule out a third term, Trump added, “I haven’t really thought about it.”
22nd Amendment Leaves Little Room
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, is explicit in its language: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Legal scholars widely interpret this to mean that even serving a third term via succession, such as becoming vice president first, would be legally barred.
Johnson’s reference to the amendment on Tuesday was a clear rebuke of any such theories, emphasizing that even Trump — who has defied norms throughout his political career — is not above constitutional limits.
Trump Avoids Consequences, But Not Controversy
Trump’s flirtation with a third term adds to a growing list of post-reelection controversies, including ongoing appeals in his New York criminal conviction, his role in the prolonged government shutdown, and his administration’s escalating military actions abroad.
Though re-elected in 2024, Trump’s public behavior and policy decisions continue to attract scrutiny and divide the Republican Party, with some members distancing themselves from his most controversial proposals while others remain aligned with his base.
Shutdown Looms Over Capitol
Johnson’s comments also came as Congress remains mired in a government shutdown, now in its fifth week. The debate over Trump’s possible long-term political future adds further distraction as Republican leadership faces mounting pressure to resolve the funding impasse.
Meanwhile, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and air traffic controller unions continue urging lawmakers to end the shutdown, which has left thousands of federal workers, including air traffic personnel, without pay.
Vice President JD Vance was expected to meet with Senate Republicans Tuesday to discuss the administration’s stance on funding and tariffs, though many GOP leaders anticipated shutdown negotiations would dominate the discussion.
What’s Next
With no legal mechanism to allow a third presidential term under the current Constitution, Johnson’s statements appear to close the door on that possibility, at least publicly.
Still, Trump’s refusal to outright dismiss the idea, combined with comments from allies like Bannon, suggests the narrative may linger — even if it has no constitutional foundation.
As Trump continues his second term and Republicans eye the 2026 midterms, questions about the future direction of the GOP — and whether anyone within the party can challenge Trump’s dominance — remain unresolved.
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