Trump's third term? Don't laugh. He's never let the rules stop him before | Arwa Mahdawi

"Let me tell you a secret about the US constitution: it's just a piece of paper. It's not immutable law created by a higher being. It was made by men, it's been amended by men, and it can be destroyed by men. It's only as strong as the institutions that uphold it institutions which Donald Trump has been systematically weakening as he expands his executive power."

"There are still people so drunk on American exceptionalism that they think it's ludicrous to believe Trump might seek a third term, because such a move is explicitly outlawed by the 22nd amendment of the constitution. There is opposition to Trump and it's growing But the president and his cronies don't think the idea is ludicrous. Trump has refused to rule out the idea of a third term on multiple occasions most recently on Monday when he told reporters he would love to do it."

"And last week Trump's former White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon, told the Economist that there's a plan to get Trump a third term. Don't dismiss this as trolling or an attempt to shake off the lame duck label second-term presidents are landed with. The golden rule of Trumpism is this: no matter how illegal or unusual something may be, if Trump can figure out a way to do it, then he will."

The US Constitution is a written instrument created and amended by people and not an immutable divine law. Its protections rely on robust institutions that enforce constitutional limits. Erosion of those institutions enables expansion of executive power. Donald Trump has acted to weaken institutional checks while publicly refusing to rule out seeking a third presidential term. Steve Bannon and allies have discussed plans to secure a third term. The guiding logic of Trumpism accepts pursuing illegal or unusual tactics if feasible. Potential legal strategies mentioned include repealing the 22nd Amendment, which requires two-thirds approval in both congressional chambers, or convening a constitutional convention called by state legislatures.

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