Johnson Dismisses Trump 2028 Speculation
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) expressed skepticism on Tuesday about the possibility of President Donald Trump running for a third term in 2028. He referenced the 22nd Amendment, stating that “there’s no path” to changing the Constitution.
“The 22nd Amendment is in place,” Johnson told reporters, emphasizing that while Trump might enjoy playfully toying with ideas of “Trump 2028,” the Constitution provides clear restrictions. “I just don’t see a way to amend it; it typically takes around ten years for a constitutional amendment,” he explained, noting ratification requires approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-quarters of state legislatures. “I can’t envision a path to that.”
During their conversation earlier that day, Johnson pointed out that he discussed this matter with Trump and remarked on the president’s “trolling” intentions regarding the idea of 2028. “This is one of the most popular hats ever made, and it’s driving Democrats crazy,” he added with a slightly amused tone.
Johnson’s comments came shortly after Trump had seemingly ruled out any constitutional workaround himself. While traveling to Tokyo on Air Force One, Trump chuckled at a question about possibly running for vice president in 2028. “I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute,” he replied, suggesting that he’d prefer to stay above such maneuvers.
The 22nd Amendment, adopted in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, limits individuals to two terms as president. Johnson reiterated that amending this requires a lengthy process that is unlikely to succeed.
After the press conference, Johnson faced questions regarding the ongoing government shutdown, now nearing a month in duration. He shared insights into his perspective on negotiations, indicating frustration with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for maintaining a lengthy list of spending priorities that do not resonate with broader interests. He called for more moderate and centrist Democrats to prioritize the American people’s needs over political maneuvering.
Johnson maintained that his focus is on the current workings of the Trump administration rather than speculating about future elections, emphasizing the importance of addressing immediate issues rather than what-ifs about 2028.
It remains unclear if Trump’s supporters will attempt to propose any constitutional amendments, but Johnson stressed he expects no successful outcomes in that regard.
