I have lost count of how many times someone — myself included — has doubted President Donald Trump. But while he may love to troll and exaggerate, I no longer doubt his ability to follow through. For months he has been saying that he might be able to run again in 2028, and this time Americans should assume he is seriously looking into how to do it.
Trump hasn’t always sounded so open to another term. During a May 4, 2025, interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” he told host Kristen Welker that while many people had been asking him to run, “it’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.” “There are many people selling the 2028 hat,” he continued. “But this is not something I’m looking to do.”
And just like that, historians and constitutional law professors started spiraling.
Fast-forward to October, and thinking seems to have shifted. “I would love to do it,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I have my best numbers ever.” Pressed with a follow-up question, he continued, “Am I not ruling it out? I mean you’ll have to tell me.”
And just like that, historians and constitutional law professors started spiraling.
This is where political pundits and commentators jump in and say that Trump is just trying to distract us. The biggest story of the week is — and should be — the ongoing government shutdown, which threatens pay for millions of federal workers and SNAP benefits for tens of millions more Americans. And it’s true that the 22nd Amendment clearly prohibits a president from being elected more than twice.
But then I listened to Trump’s and Steve Bannon’s comments, and a chill went down my spine. The 22nd Amendment does not ban Trump from running for office; it just prevents him from being elected and holding office.
Does this sound crazy? Absolutely. But does it sound like something Trump would do? Also yes. Trump has been blowing through constitutional norms ever since he took office in January. He signed an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship — a right guaranteed under the 14th Amendment. His administration has framed tariffs as one of its signature policy achievements, yet the Constitution explicitly gives Congress the power to impose tariffs under Article 1, Section 8. And then there is Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard against U.S. citizens, a move that multiple courts have found violates the Posse Comitatus Act. All of these cases are now on their way to be heard by the Supreme Court, but it has become clear that the courts can barely keep up with Trump’s orders. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority has already given the president several wins, and appears largely in favor of expanding the authority of the Office of the President. The president, meanwhile, has surrounded himself with sycophants, minions and cronies, so creating chaos and disruption in our electoral process doesn’t feel like it would be tremendously difficult. Now imagine Trump running, becoming the Republican nominee and declaring martial law for days, months or even years. I’m not saying it will happen, but I’m also not saying it’s impossible — not anymore.
Susan Del Percio is a Republican strategist and a political analyst for MS NOW. 
