Republicans Dismiss Trump's Third-Term Remarks as Humor

In recent comments, President Donald Trump expressed interest in pursuing a third term in office, stating he is 'not joking' and suggesting there are 'methods' to achieve this despite the constitutional restrictions posed by the 22nd Amendment. Republican lawmakers, however, largely dismissed these remarks, asserting that Trump is likely joking and emphasizing that amending the Constitution to allow for a third term is a challenging process requiring broad bipartisan support. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune both highlighted the improbability of such a constitutional change, noting that the 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibits more than two terms. Many Republican senators, including Chuck Grassley and Ted Cruz, reaffirmed the clarity of the constitutional restrictions, while others, like Sen. Markwayne Mullin, suggested Trump’s comments were playful banter. The issue has sparked mixed reactions among Republicans, with some expressing concerns over the implications of his statements and others downplaying their seriousness. Overall, the consensus among top Republicans is that Trump's talk of a third term is more a source of entertainment than a viable political strategy.