Impolitic with John Heilemann J. Michael Luttig: Trump’s Plan to Be President for Life Is No Joke
Oct 31, 2025
J. Michael Luttig, a former U.S. Court of Appeals judge and conservative legal scholar, delves into alarming implications of Trump's ambition for power. He argues that Trump’s claims about future elections shouldn’t be dismissed as jokes; they signify serious threats to democracy. Luttig scrutinizes the potential for Trump to circumvent the 22nd Amendment and highlights dangers of executive overreach. He warns against normalizing anti-constitutional behavior, advocating for public mobilization as a remedy to maintain democratic integrity.
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Amassed Power Could Threaten Elections
- J. Michael Luttig warns Trump has amassed near-absolute power in his second term that could subvert or cancel future elections.
- Luttig argues that power alone could enable Trump to remain president despite the 22nd Amendment's ban.
22nd Amendment Is Clear But Politically Contested
- The 22nd Amendment plainly bars Trump from being elected a third time because it prohibits any person from being elected president more than twice.
- Luttig stresses legal text matters, but Trump and allies publicly float ways to evade that restriction.
No Vice‑President Loophole For A Third Term
- Luttig rejects schemes like running as vice president as loopholes to circumvent the 22nd Amendment.
- He emphasizes there's no legal path for Trump to be elected to a third term under current constitutional text.
