House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that he doesn’t “see a path” for President Donald Trump to seek a third term.
“It’s been a great campaign, but I think the president knows, and he and I have talked about them, the restrictions of the Constitution, as much as many Americans regret that,” Johnson said during a news conference on Capitol Hill.
Johnson said he had spoken to Trump on Tuesday morning. The president is currently in Japan for a tour of three countries in Asia.
“I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution because it takes about 10 years to do it,” said Johnson, a constitutional lawyer. “As everyone knows, allowing all states to ratify what two-thirds of the House and three-quarters of the states would approve. So I don’t see a path for that, but I can tell you we’re not going to take our foot off the gas.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a press conference to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2025.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Trump has commented several times about a third term, even though the Constitution prohibits it. The 22nd Amendment explicitly states that no person should be elected to the nation’s highest office more than twice.
On Monday, Trump said he would “love to do it” when asked about a possible 2028 run.
“Am I not ruling it out? They’re going to have to tell me,” Trump said when pressed on the matter. “All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t have,” he added, referring to the Democratic Party.
Last week, Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser, said in an interview with The Economist that “there is a plan” for Trump to win a third term, but did not provide details.
The official product website Triumph The organization has been selling. hats that say “triumph” 2028″ from the beginning of this year.
Johnson argued Tuesday that the Trump 2028 cap “is one of the most popular hats ever produced,” but suggested it was a move to provoke Democrats.
The speaker said Trump “has a good time trolling Democrats, whose hair is on fire at the mere prospect. But I do think we have three extraordinary years ahead of us.”
ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.
