US Attorney General Says It’s “Heavy Lift” for Trump to Run for Third Term
Constitutional Scholars Agree with Bondi’s Assessment
The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, recently stated that it would be “a heavy lift” for Donald Trump to find a legal way to run for a third term as president. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Bondi said, “I wish we could have him for 20 years as our president, but I think he’s going to be finished, probably, after this term.”
Constitutional Limitations
The US Constitution was amended in 1947 to set a two-year limit on the presidency, not long after Franklin Roosevelt died near the start of his fourth term in the White House. Constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, as well as ratification by three-quarters of the 50 states, which political analysts say is extremely unlikely.
Bondi’s Assessment
“That’s really the only way to do it,” Bondi said. “It’d be a heavy lift.” Trump’s early talk of seeking a third term struck many as fanciful, but on March 31, the 78-year-old president told NBC News that he was “not joking” about the possibility. He said there were “methods” that would allow it to happen.
Constitutional Scholars Agree
Bondi’s remarks about the difficulty of a legal third term appear to align with the views of most constitutional scholars. However, as a confirmed Trump loyalist holding the government’s top law-enforcement office, her comments take on greater significance.
Bondi Defends Administration’s Legal Stances
Fighting Lawsuits
Earlier in the interview, Bondi spoke out against the broad legal pushback the still-young Trump administration has faced as it moves aggressively to put its policies in place. “We’ve had over 170 lawsuits brought against us – that should be the constitutional crisis right there,” she said. “We’ll continue to fight those cases as they move through the courts.”
Death Penalty Case
Bondi defended the administration’s decision to seek the death penalty in the case of Luigi Mangione, who is charged with the Dec 4 2024 killing on a New York sidewalk of health insurance executive Brian Thompson. “The president’s directive was very clear: we are to seek the death penalty when possible,” she said. “If there was ever a death case, this is one.”
Legal Victory
Bondi exulted in one recent legal victory, when the Supreme Court on Friday sided with the administration in a dispute over the education department’s move to freeze so-called DEI grants – involving efforts to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion. The right-leaning court allowed the administration to continue freezing US$64 million intended for teacher training and professional development. “We just got a great win,” Bondi said, “and we’ll continue to fight every day.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, it appears that the US attorney general’s assessment of the likelihood of Trump running for a third term is in line with the views of most constitutional scholars. While Trump may have expressed interest in running again, the constitutional barriers to his doing so appear insurmountable.
FAQs
Q: What is the current limit on the presidency?
A: The US Constitution sets a two-year limit on the presidency, with no provision for more than two terms.
Q: What would be required to change the two-term limit?
A: Constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, as well as ratification by three-quarters of the 50 states, which is extremely unlikely.
Q: What does Pam Bondi think about Trump running for a third term?
A: Bondi stated that it would be “a heavy lift” for Trump to find a legal way to run for a third term, implying that it is unlikely.