Donald Trump expressed regret over constitutional limits preventing him from seeking a third U.S. presidential term, even as House Speaker Mike Johnson unequivocally ruled out such a possibility.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from Japan to South Korea, Trump described the constitutional barrier as “a shame.” He noted, “If you read, you’ll see it’s pretty clear. I’m not allowed to run.”
However, Trump also introduced a note of ambiguity regarding the prohibition. “As I read it, I don’t think I’m allowed to run,” he said, adding, “We’ll see what happens.”
His remarks followed definitive statements by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key Republican leader, who asserted that a third term was “not possible.” Johnson told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday, “I don’t see a path for that.”
The Speaker explained that the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly limits a president to two terms in office. He emphasized that amending this rule would require decades to secure ratification across states and congressional votes.
Johnson also indicated that he had personally discussed the constitutional constraints with the former president. “He and I have talked about the constitutional limitations,” Johnson stated, suggesting Trump understood the situation.
Despite the clear constitutional barrier and his party’s stance, Trump had previously expressed an interest in continuing in office. On Monday, he stated, “I want to do it,” referring to running for president again.
He also mentioned U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance as potential Republican choices for future elections.
When directly questioned about a third term, Trump consistently avoided a clear refusal. He also dismissed the idea of running as vice president and then ascending to the presidency, calling such a strategy “too playful.”
Johnson, for his part, downplayed concerns about Trump’s rhetoric regarding a third term. He suggested the former president “enjoys disrupting the Democrats” and takes pleasure in “teasing about it.”
Trump’s repeated musings about extending presidential tenure align with past actions. He has often pushed the boundaries of executive power, including deploying National Guard troops without state governors’ consent and soliciting private funds for military payments or White House renovations.