This piece was originally published in Rawstory.
In one of the single most impressive analytical discussions ever to occur on a deeply cerebral and politically aware show – The View, the hosts took their turns on Monday discussing the clear and present danger lingering whenever President Donald Trump turns coy and not a little bit smug about discussing his plans for 2028 and a possible third term. Coming on the heels of yet another failure to say “No” with regard to running a diabolical third run, the latest occurring on Air Force One on the way to Asia, each host took a turn making the same seminal point: take this seriously, right now.
Amen. And now is a particularly good time, nay, a necessary one, to do more than recognize the issue. Time to stand up.
The Democrats finally grew something that can pass courteous muster as a “spine” in shutting the government down largely over GOP-desired cuts to the ACA or “Obamacare” subsidies. Nothing would be harmed and there is everything to gain if the Dems included a little rider, a “finding” as a meager resolution, by both Houses, that Trump (along with everyone else) is bound by the clear terms of the 22nd Amendment and all talk about a third term is moot, as affirmed by both the GOP and Dems in Congress.
True, if Trump doesn’t feel bound by the Constitution, he damn sure won’t have passing interest in a mere resolution. But that’s not the point.
Given history and the Constitution’s clarity, such a vote on such an issue should be an afterthought; the very fact that it most certainly is not, and indeed is an issue that would likely keep the government shut down, makes the commitment that much more important as action to take up now, getting all Republicans on record as they gaze over the horizon to next year. The closer we get more to 2028, having blown past 2026 – with hats, Steve Bannon, and especially Trump himself, continually screwing around, the more danger ushered in.
It is not so much about Trump as it is a test as to whether the Constitution still exists as a binding compact.
Okay, it is also very much about Trump. Whether he can be stopped at all. Ever. About anything.
Sure, we all look to the ballroom as near proof positive that Trump doesn’t believe he’s going anywhere. But Sunny Hostin made an even more salient point in noting the obvious. Given what we have absorbed to the marrow about Trump, is there any conceivable way that post-2026, he will allow himself to lamely fade, tossing the spotlight to J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio?
Excuse me, but no fcking way.
Now, every excellent analyst on The View went on to highlight the importance of getting all Republicans on record by having Democrats challenge GOP candidates on the issue in the campaign and then “vote them out.” And while one should always be cautious in criticizing such penetrating points, that ain’t the way. It is not strong enough. They gotta keep it all shut down over it. It really ought to be easy, the fact that it’s not says everything…
Of course, there is essentially no chance that Trump would go along with the predicate. Good. Get it all out on the table now, while the GOP isn’t necessarily forced in line over it.
Understand, 2025 isn’t 2027; this isn’t that. Into the future, the pressure will be much more evident. Any hope to log this stand now involves Democrats in 2026 coming out of the election with majorities in both branches. If absolutely necessary, Dems can drop the shut down demand at the last minute.
But if it gets to that? GOP swirling wind sets up a blue wave win.
Nothing else, no real issue, stands on the horizon to such a victory, especially given the map, new voting restrictions, and voter apathy. ‘Gotta shake things up, big. This might be the only pitch to hit. And if someone throws you a softball, for the love of God, hit it.
Because, at least right now, all indications are that Americans generally, and even a slim majority of Republicans, are wholly against an inchoate third term. It is a rare thing to find a majority of GOPers against Trump; thus, it is that this is less a call to sober acceptance of a looming threat than one for the next step: a plan for solid action. Keep it all shut down over this issue, too.
Is there anything else with which to hold Republican feet to the fire? Yes, go ahead, throw the Epstein matter in. Why not?
The very fact that the third term thing should be less a line of fire than a “cool spring” under which every GOPer legislator can dunk their head, avoiding the barrage of shitposting tweets, is the wakeup needed to draw. A line, not a holster, for now.
Such a line doesn’t exist… Not yet. But it would likely take less than an hour to draw one. It is not every day that you can preserve democracy over the caucus lunch meeting.
So, Dems – give it a shot. And if you can’t do this, what can you do? The 2026 thing goes both ways.
Jason Miciak is an American attorney, past Associate Editor of Occupy Democrats, novelist and dad. He can be reached on Bluesky and Twitter, or at [email protected]
” a little rider”!!! A beautiful hook. Would that it were done. Most GOP would likely agree, given the need to get off the shutdown train and providing attack lines for 26/28, while giving T reason to quetion some loyalties and, therefore, targets for his ire.
I can’t take any of this seriously with all the fawning over the hens on the view lol.
Well, if it makes you happy, Mark, no one takes YOU seriously at all.
Ever.
Go back under your bridge, little troll. (It also seems interesting that you haven’t been trolling so frequently. Are you having trouble getting paid by your overlords?)