America turns 250 in 2026 and goes to the polls again in 2028, while President Donald Trump occasionally flashes the idea that two terms may not be enough. In a March NBC interview, he didn’t ”joke” about the possibility of a third term and talked about ”methods” to get around it – though the 22nd Amendment says what it says.(ABC News)
Former chief strategist Steve Bannon is working on the coronation committee: he says there is a ”plan” to keep Trump president in 2028.Bannon won’t say what the scroll says, but the message is clear: ”get used to the idea.” If the butler says power will continue, should we start practising bowing?(Newsweek)
The unofficial coronation diary starts on 6 January 2021. ”We never give up. We never give in,” Trump shouted at the Ellipse – and the crowd marched to the Capitol. There was also a much-talked-about field cry of ”Hang Mike Pence!” Assaults, chaos and millions of dollars in damage – and deaths during the day and its aftermath. If a transfer of power can be undermined by speech and rage once, why not a second time?(Reuters)
In 2024, the Supreme Court pointed the way forward, granting the President absolute immunity from certain ”core” appointments and at least presumptive immunity from other appointments. According to Judge J. Michael Luttig, the decision effectively put the president above the law – precisely what the Constitution originally sought to prevent. With the crown sitting so firmly in place, what’s to stop further fires being applied to it?(supremecourt.gov)
”Monarchy exercises” have already taken place. Trump has promised the largest expulsion campaign in history, including the National Guard. In the summer of 2025, the streets were pacified by mass deportations as immigration raids proceeded. As domestic politics becomes militarized, the final piece of the puzzle – permanent power – is beyond imagination. (Or Steve Bannon’s memo.)(AP News)
And the third season? Jurisprudence says ”no”, the court says ”but maybe”. The correct answer is probably boring: amending the Constitution is difficult and the vice-presidential trick is also blocked (12th Amendment). But if the whole game is played on the limits of concepts – immunity, emergency powers, ”methods” – then isn’t that just the essence of monarchy? Power first, borders later.(The Guardian)
Yet Thomas Paine whispers from the grave: ”In free countries, the law must be king.” American humour is often cynical, but this punchline is simple: if the law no longer carries the day, someone else will carry the sceptre. Until then, the rest of us will practice our bows – and check to see if the baseball cap already has a gold brim.
📚 Sources
- ABC News: Trump ’not joking’ about third term; talks ’methods’(ABC News)
- Politico: Trump won’t rule out 2028 attempt in NBC interview(Politico)
- CBS News: What Trump has said about the third term (recap)(CBS News)
- Newsweek: Steve Bannon claims there is a ”plan” for a third term(Newsweek)
- Reuters: ”We will never give up. We will never concede.” (6.1.2021).(Reuters)
- The Guardian: ”Hang Mike Pence” chant trending; chant heard inside Capitol.(The Guardian)
- CBS News: Capitol damage and cleanup costs ~$3 M; only part of claims paid(CBS News)
- SCOTUS (PDF): Trump v. United States (1.7.2024) – scope of immunity for official acts(supremecourt.gov)
- The Atlantic (J. Michael Luttig): the decision effectively put the president above the law(The Atlantic)
- AP / PBS: Mass deportations, National Guard and a hard line on immigration (2024-2025)(AP News)