'Connect the dots': Why Trump’s president-for-life 'jokes' must be taken 'seriously'

24 February

Some critics of President Donald Trump and MAGA allies like "War Room" host Steve Bannon are dismissing talk of a third Trump term as empty trolling designed to "own the libs." Trump and Bannon, they argue, should not be taken seriously — as the U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment clearly states that presidents are limited to two terms.

But The New Republic's Michael Tomasky, in an article published on February 24, warns that "jokes" about Trump staying in the White House after January 20, 2029 should not be taken lightly.

"When this comes up on cable news," Tomasky explains, "the host typically asks the guests whether Trump is just trolling the libs or should be taken seriously. It's a silly question, because the answer is obviously both. He's always trolling. But if you've watched these first four weeks and think he's not capable of finding a way to suspend the Constitution and stay in office, well, you're not watching the same show I am. Pay attention, and connect the dots."

Tomasky continues, "Trump installed a loyalist at the Justice Department. Pam Bondi is qualified for the job of attorney general on paper, but there is no question as to why she's really there: to wield the Department's power as Trump wishes. He installed a loyalist — an unqualified one — as the head of the nation's intelligence services. Tulsi Gabbard will also do whatever Trump wants. And he's done the same at the FBI. Kash Patel is obviously there to investigate Trump's political foes and critics. Incidentally, this week, Patel is also apparently going to be sworn in as the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives."

These appointments, according to Tomasky, "give Trump personal control over the country's legal and intelligence services." And the president "took an even more ominous step" when he fired Gen. CJ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and replaced him with "loyalist" John Dan Cain.

"Personal control over the Justice Department, the FBI, the intelligence services, and the Pentagon, along with a pliable right-wing Supreme Court majority, will enable Trump to do many things," Tomasky warns. "They're all bad, but it's having the lackeys in charge of the Defense Department and the Joint Chiefs that are the blaring sirens here…. People tend to dismiss talk of a Trump third term. They say the constitutional hurdles are too great, and indeed they are."

The New Republic editor continues, "Changing the Constitution requires either: (1) a two-thirds vote from both houses of Congress along with ratification by three-quarters of the states, or (2) a Constitutional Convention that would again require three-quarters of the states to agree on the change. Neither of those is happening. But those aren't the only ways to do it. Presidents can declare martial law. Several have, during wartime or other national emergencies. And a president can do almost anything he wants to under the Insurrection Act."

Michael Tomasky's full article for The New Republic is available at this link.

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