California Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced alarm over recent remarks by Donald Trump and his ally Steve Bannon, suggesting the president might pursue an unprecedented third term if re-elected in 2024. Newsom called the comments “deeply concerning,” warning they reflect a growing disregard for democratic norms and constitutional boundaries.
Speaking to reporters in Sacramento on Monday, Newsom said, “The idea of a third term for any president runs directly against the Constitution. But what’s more troubling is how casually this notion is being floated — it’s a sign of how far political discourse has shifted.”
The controversy began when Bannon, Trump’s former White House strategist, suggested during a recent podcast that Trump could “serve more than two terms if the American people demand it.” Trump later appeared to echo the idea at a rally, joking that “maybe we’ll have to stay longer to fix everything.”
While Trump’s remark may have been intended humorously, it has reignited concerns among critics who see it as part of a pattern — one that tests the limits of American democratic institutions. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly restricts presidents to two elected terms.
“This isn’t a laughing matter,” Newsom said. “We’ve seen how authoritarian movements begin — by normalizing the idea that leaders can rewrite the rules for themselves.”
Legal experts agree that a third Trump term would be constitutionally impossible without a formal amendment, an outcome requiring overwhelming bipartisan support — something widely seen as politically unfeasible. Still, analysts say the rhetoric serves a purpose.
“By joking about staying in power, Trump is energizing his base and testing public reaction,” explains Dr. Hannah Price, a political science professor at UCLA. “Even if it’s not a literal goal, it signals an erosion of respect for democratic constraints.”
Bannon has continued to promote the notion, framing Trump as a leader the establishment fears. “They can’t stop him — not in two terms, not ever,” he said on his show War Room.
Newsom, a potential Democratic contender for higher office, has increasingly positioned himself as a national voice opposing Trumpism. He warned that normalizing such talk could have long-term consequences for American governance. “Once people start accepting the idea that rules can bend for one man, democracy itself starts to unravel,” he said.
White House officials declined to comment directly on Trump’s statements but reiterated President Biden’s stance that “the Constitution is clear, and democracy depends on all leaders respecting it.”
As the 2024 election approaches, the exchange underscores a deepening ideological divide over power, legitimacy, and the future of American democracy — one that could shape the political landscape for years to come.
Watch video below :
