Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Sid Salter: Trump's Hints of "Methods" for 3rd Term Provide Powerful Political Distraction

 How realistic are calls among his political followers for a third term in office for President Donald Trump?

The 22nd Amendment stands as the most obvious impediment to a third Trump term. The operative language of the 22nd Amendment is as follows: ““No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.”

Only one U.S. chief executive has held the office for more than two terms. Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected President of the United States in 1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944. Before FDR’s 1940 election, a “tradition” had been established, albeit one without the force of law, that presidents typically served only two terms in office.

The tradition traced back to the nation’s first president – General George Washington, who famously feared the establishment of a king in the U.S. rather than elected citizen leadership. But no law prohibited a U.S. president from seeking a third term and several did including U.S. Grant in 1880, Teddy Roosevelt in 1912, Woodrow Wilson in 1920, and for a brief time, Harry S. Truman.
FDR’s unprecedented four terms in office – punctuated by the Great Depression and World War II – enabled him to become not the first president to seek election to a third term, but he was decidedly the first to be able to win a third and later fourth term in the White House as American voters valued a steady, experienced leader in times of global crisis.
But concern was evident during FDR’s third and fourth terms over his accumulation of power and whether multiple terms past two four-year terms was good for democracy.  
After Roosevelt died in 1945, the nation’s political wheels began to turn in earnest for a constitutional bar to a president seeking more than two terms. The 22nd Amendment was the vehicle used to enact presidential term limits, approved by Congress in 1947 and ratified by the states in 1952. (As the sitting president, Truman was exempt from the amendment in the 1952 Democratic presidential primary, which he lost.)
Earlier this year, Trump told NBC News that he did not rule out a bid for a third presidential term and that there were methods for doing so.
“A lot of people want me to do it,” Trump said. “But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration.”
One theory being offered by Trump allies is an arrangement in which current Vice President J.D. Vance could seek the presidency and then step aside for Trump to assume the office. Such a gambit would bring a protracted legal challenge and is considered far-fetched – particularly in light of the language of the 12th Amendment, which holds: “But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President.”
Another method would be a more straightforward effort at repealing the 22nd Amendment. That would require that two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-quarters of all U.S. states must vote to abolish the 22nd Amendment. That scenario strains credulity, given the outcome of the 2024 election.
Two-thirds of the states could, theoretically, call for a constitutional convention to propose a new amendment, but 38 of 50 states would have to ratify any new amendment. Again, that’s unlikely in the extreme.
While the realistic chances for a third Trump term are very slim, the very discussion of the attempt is a whopping distraction that benefits the Trump Administration particularly during the early years of his second term – when the pace of unprecedented changes in the operations and policies of the federal government has the legislative and judicial branches of the federal government back on their heels as Trump and his allies forge ahead,
Even the very discussion of it is a powerful distraction. One House member is putting forth a measure to enable Trump in this fight: Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) is introducing a resolution to amend the 22nd Amendment. Ogles' amendment would allow any president to serve a third term if their first two terms were non-consecutive.

Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at sidsalter@sidsalter.com.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Trump deserves a third term since everyone on the planet knows that the media, big tech, and USAID funded deep state stole the 2020 election. That same big tech is bending the knee and kissing the ring right now because they know Trump has the power to break them up and dismantle their power.

Anonymous said...

If JD Vance keeps up the good work, I believe he will be the next president. He can then ask Donald Jr. or Eric Trump to be his running mate. But honestly, I wish he would ask Thomas Massey. I really like Massey’s ideas like forcing politicians members of the deep state with dual citizenship to reveal that dual loyalty to the people.

Anonymous said...

Even the very discussion of it is a powerful distraction.

[and] Sid Salter rose to the bait.

fed up in Jackson said...

I have long since found that I have no interest in Sid's editorial take

Anonymous said...

It's his equivalent of "hey, look at the bird." The lefty loonies fall for it everytime.

Anonymous said...

The citizens with Trump Derangement Syndrome have no idea Trump is trolling them. The poor things, bless their heart.

Anonymous said...

The yield today on 10 year Greek government bond: 3.498%

The yield today on 10 year US Treasury bond: 4.379%

If you know, you know.

Anonymous said...

We are witnessing the development of a road map for later presidential administrations in taking advantage of the public's lack of attention span and the rapidity of the news cycle. Flood the Zone.

Anonymous said...


Very good idea. Even as fast as Trump is working it might take him longer than his term to straighten the U.S. up from the downhill slide it has been on for many years. Why look for someone else when you have the best man for the job already working on the problem. If the democrats would not have elected a fake president who had 4 years to try to destroy the U.S. Trump probably would not need another term.

Anonymous said...

No worries. Trump will destroy America before his current term expires. There won't be anything left for him to reign over except crime, debt, starvation, lack of medical care, rampant disease and ongoing climate disaster. It will be bigly! MAGAs won't have to stroke over which bathroom a child is using or libraries containing books that they don't want to read.

Anonymous said...

So, you actually believe that there will be an election in 2028 where the citizens of the United States will be able to vote? That is laughable! The first internment camp has already been established in El Salvador. It is just going to get worse from here. There is no way there will be free and lawful elections for the foreseeable future.

Anonymous said...

No, bless your heart. You are the one who has been trolled by Trump.

Anonymous said...

Actually for Mr. Trump and his disciples the constitution is a distraction. Just a bump in the road.

Anonymous said...

For a president to discuss or consider a plan to defeat the clear mandate of the constitution while he is president would be .....
gulp! .....treason? Trump would never do that. Would he?

Anonymous said...

"Dollar Confidence Crisis Is Here, Deutsche Bank Warns

By

WSJ Staff

The broad selloff in U.S. stocks and bonds, and the continuing decline in the dollar, represents a "simultaneous collapse in the price of all U.S. assets," analysts at Deutsche Bank said Wednesday. They warned that "unchartered territory" lies ahead." https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-trump-tariffs-trade-war-04-09-25/card/dollar-confidence-crisis-is-here-deutsche-bank-warns-OS3izqVU0PPvpBGqOC2k

WoW said...

Many people in this thread have mistaken tribal loyalty for identity and called it principle. You've turned politics into cosplay warfare and then wonder why nothing gets better.

Every time someone calls out the cult, you shriek "other side!" because it's easier than addressing the criticism. You know the other side acts in bad faith, because your side does too.

Both sides are not arguing ideas. They are defending their team's brand. No one is thinking. They are filtering. You don't want truth. You want validation. The moment someone doesn't play along, they scramble to place someone in their stupid little football match cosplay war. Left or right. Donkey or elephant. Pick a jersey or shut up.

There is no team. There is no side. There is only you and the system you keep alive by feeding it your attention, your loyalty, and your misplaced faith.

I hope we restore our Republic from this virus that has infected our party system.

Anonymous said...

You leftie loonies need to turn off The View. Get your news from Straight Arrow News - very non-partisan.

Anonymous said...

Like the Roman empire before us we will find that a democratic republic will not last. To concede power to others whom we hate and hopelessly disagree will not work for long. Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk are simply paving the way. It was inevitable.

Anonymous said...

I am betting that the real panic starts on Friday.
I am so glad I sold of all of my investments when Trump won. I just followed Warren Buffett’s lead. Hopefully, there will be some sort of economy left to invest in by the time Trump and his cult are through.

Anonymous said...

It's a bull market. Time to buy.

Yanis Varoufakis said...

You go ahead and load up on that Greek paper.

Anonymous said...

If you believe that Buffett sold all his investments then it is a good thing that you did, indeed, because you have no idea what in the hell you are doing.

Anonymous said...

@11:40 Why do so many of you magatards struggle to get the point? Nobody is saying that Greek bonds are better. The point is that American bonds are taking a hit

Anonymous said...

On a bible he swore ..."preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution..." Yet he will not rule out an effort to defeat it. His loyalty is to himself and eventually this country will pay for lifting him up. We must do better or else.

Anonymous said...

These tariffs were a total surprise to most of the serious investors. That's why the reaction has been so significant.

I just wonder if anyone was smart enough to bet ahead of the surprise? With leverage?


Actually, you wouldn't have needed to be smart, you just needed to have some good insider information and put your bets down in the futures markets.

Capisce?

I mean, even a guy Eric could win this bet!

Anonymous said...

Some of you act surprised that Trump is taking the actions that he is. That only proves you didn't listen to him while he was campaigning, because he is doing exactly what he said he would.

Anonymous said...

@12:01 - go back and watch the video. He didn’t actually put his hand on the Bible. Constitutionalists hate this one trick!

Anonymous said...

@8:05 - Trump deserves to be broke and in prison.

Anonymous said...

April 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM, judgmental much?

Anonymous said...

Trump is a New York shyster ….always has been and always will be
Not paying contractors, Trump University…bankruptcy many times, when the heat is directed at him, he goes look! a squirrel! Unfortunately , we didn’t have much of a choice in this election so he won as best of the worst!

Anonymous said...

I would fully support a constitutional convention to support infinite terms for Trump. I would also support allowing him to appoint his own successor and bypace the presidential election. We cant let the traitorous democrat part ever hold executive power again. I want JD Vance and Don Jr to hold office long enough for the true messiah ot ascend. That would be Barron Trump

Anonymous said...

April 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM, and Trump is still your president.

Anonymous said...

@3:45 - the judgement came from the jury that voted him guilty 34 times.

Anonymous said...

@4:12 PM - Who's your daddy? Trump is your daddy. Kamala, thanks for checking in.

Anonymous said...

@4:35 That was nothing more than lawfare practiced by a kangaroo court to try interfere in the election. It don’t work and Donald Trump is now victorious.

Anonymous said...

For all of you disciples of The View, the stock market surged today with some of the highest gains since WWII. Nasdaq surged 12% and S&P 500 surged 9.5%. I guess the world isn't ending afterall. Right?

Anonymous said...

8:28 AM is correct, while Trump is playing chess, idiot Democrats are playing checkers and are therefore always willing to take “the bait.” Let’s get some TRUMP 2024 stickers made for Sid Salter, et al.

9:56 AM, looks like Democrat controlled for decades Jackson, MS has already been destroyed. Why don’t we make this deal, all Democrat voters have to live in Democrat controlled cities without gates protecting them, and vice versa. No more hypocrite white liberal so-called progressives voting Democrat then living behind gates or in the Republican suburbs. Are you in???

6:10 PM, you think there might be some short sellers out there tonight that now understand “The Art of the Deal?” Looking forward to seeing the news tomorrow morning to learn how many trader suicides there were from jumping out of windows. Bwahahahahaha

Anonymous said...

How about Trump is playing chess and the dems are playing marbles, which they have lost?

Anonymous said...

@4:59 - do you feel the same about Eric Adams and Lumumba’s cases? Their only crimes are being disliked politically?

Anonymous said...

Make that “TRUMP 2028 & 2032” stickers to troll Sid and all of the other cry baby Democrats that are always in crisis mode.

Constitutional Crisis. Threat to Democracy. Insurrection. Oligarchs. Millionaires & Billionaires. Pronouns. DEI. BLM. Racist. Fascist. Nazi. MeToo. Perception of Crime. Radical. Liberal. Progressive. Educated.

Anonymous said...

Vance is really stepping up his insult game which is crucial to Republicans. Unfortunately for him, he’d have to get a divorce to be a serious contender.

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody, Trump erased 25% of your 401k’s value but since he was warned that he was about to plunge the global economy into a recession he graciously gave you back 10% of it. What a genius!

Anonymous said...

Also, it was the largest rise for the S&P since 2008. Do you remember what was going on in 2008?

https://www.reuters.com/markets/global-markets-wrapup-1pix-2025-04-09/

Anonymous said...

Russia and China play the long game while Trump and the Trumpublicans play the brain fart game.

Anonymous said...

April 10, 2025 at 7:20 AM, it must suck to hate Trump like you do, and have to watch Trump exercise the power to take away, and the power to give back. Trump is still your president.

Anonymous said...

Maybe you can get sleepy Joe to run again, or maybe Kamala.

Anonymous said...

April 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM, in a whisper voice I say, he's still your president.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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