Omar Bennett
Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of attempting to terminate the US Constitution on multiple occasions. In December 2022, Trump suggested that the termination of all rules...even those found in the Constitution was justified due to the unfounded claim of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Trump's comments were widely criticized and denounced by the White House, with some interpreting them as a call for a violent overthrow of the government. Trump has also expressed interest in serving a third term as president, which would require amending the Constitution, and has made controversial decisions as president that some argue undermine the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd December 2022 |
| Reason | Trump's unfounded claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud |
| Trump's statement | "A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution" |
| Trump's defence | "The Fake News is actually trying to convince the American People that I said I wanted to 'terminate' the Constitution. This is simply more DISINFORMATION & LIES." |
| Kamala Harris' allegation | Among Trump's plans for government if elected was the termination of the Constitution |
| Trump's action | Trump has seized the power to arrest any person and whisk them to El Salvador without due process |
| Trump's ambition | Trump is considering ways to breach a constitutional barrier to serve a third term as president |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's claims of election fraud
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump suggested that the "termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution" was justified. This statement was in reference to his continued claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 US presidential election, which he alleged was totally rigged. Trump's claims of election fraud have been widely fact-checked and debunked, with no evidence found to support his allegations.
Trump's supporters have deployed several statistical arguments to cast doubt on the 2020 election results, including claims about Dominion voting machines switching votes from Trump to Biden, suspiciously high turnout in Democratic strongholds, and the supposedly inexplicable failure of Biden to win "bellwether counties". However, statistical analysis and original data analysis of these claims have shown no evidence of systematic voter fraud.
Trump's claims of voter fraud have been deemed false and misleading by multiple sources. In the lead-up to the 2024 US election, claims of voter fraud flooded social media, but as Trump's victory became clear, the chatter largely subsided. Trump himself has not repeated the fraud allegations since election day in 2024.
Despite the lack of evidence, a significant number of Trump's supporters were convinced by his claims of a stolen election. A survey in December 2020 found that over 75% of Republican voters believed that millions of fraudulent ballots were cast, voting machines were manipulated, and thousands of votes were recorded for dead people. Trump's refusal to concede the 2020 election and his continued spreading of misinformation about voter fraud have had significant repercussions, with his supporters violently storming the Capitol in January 2021 in a bid to halt the peaceful transition of power.
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Trump's third term ambitions
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump suggested that the "termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution" was justified. This was in response to his unfounded claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud. Trump's statement was denounced by the White House and faced criticism from both Democrats and top-ranking Republicans. Despite later attempting to walk back his comments, Trump's remarks sparked concerns about his ambitions for a potential third term as president.
Indeed, in March 2025, Trump indicated that he was considering ways to serve a third term, stating that "there are methods which you could do it." He claimed that many people were encouraging him to run again, but he did not want to discuss it at length. Trump's consideration of a third term raised concerns among legal experts and politicians, who highlighted the constitutional barrier against a third term and the potential implications for American democracy.
Trump's ambitions for a third term have been supported by some of his allies, such as former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Congressman Andy Ogles. Ogles proposed amending the 22nd Amendment to allow Trump to serve a third term, citing the need for Trump's "decisive leadership" and his loyalty to the American people. However, legal scholars have asserted that there are no credible legal arguments for Trump to run for a third term, and pursuing such a goal would require extraordinary cooperation from federal and state officials, as well as the courts and voters.
Trump's potential third term ambitions have been viewed as a political strategy to maintain power and influence within the Republican Party. Derek Muller, a professor of election law, suggested that Trump's comments about a third term were intended to "show as much strength as possible" during his final term in office. Trump's supporters, such as Kayla Thompson, have expressed their desire for Trump to serve another term, believing that he is the only one who can lead America in the right direction.
While Trump's third term ambitions remain speculative, they have sparked debates and concerns among politicians, legal experts, and the public. The discussion surrounding Trump's potential third term has also brought attention to the importance of upholding the Constitution and the democratic process in the United States.
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Trump's supporters' response
Trump's supporters have responded to his controversial statements and actions in various ways, reflecting the diverse nature of his base. Some supporters have remained steadfast in their loyalty to the former president, choosing to interpret his words and actions through the lens of their own beliefs and priorities. They may dismiss criticism of Trump as ""disinformation and lies", as Trump himself has done, or view his comments as a necessary provocation to challenge an established order they see as corrupt or ineffective.
For instance, in response to Trump's suggestion that the "termination" of the Constitution may be justified due to alleged "massive fraud" in the 2020 election, some supporters may have agreed with his unfounded claims of election fraud and felt that such extreme action was warranted. They may also have accepted Trump's subsequent attempt to walk back his comments, where he denied wanting to "terminate" the Constitution and instead emphasised the need to "right the wrong" of the alleged fraud.
Some supporters have gone even further, actively promoting conspiracy theories and justifying Trump's most extreme statements and actions. For example, following the violent insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, some Trump supporters sought to justify the attack as a justified response to the alleged election fraud. This group of supporters has fully embraced Trump's false claims about the 2020 election, seeing them as justification for overturning the results by any means necessary.
Other supporters, particularly those in positions of power, have been more cautious in their responses. Some Republican lawmakers have condemned Trump's comments and actions, recognising the importance of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. However, they may still be reluctant to fully break with Trump, aware of his significant influence within the Republican Party and seeking to balance their criticism with maintaining support from his loyal base.
A notable example of this careful navigation is seen in the response of Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee. While he "vehemently" disagreed and "absolutely" condemned Trump's remarks about terminating the Constitution, he stopped short of outright rejecting Trump as a future leader of the party. Instead, he emphasised the ongoing primary process and suggested that Trump's statement would be a factor for Republicans to consider when deciding on their candidate for 2024.
Overall, the responses of Trump's supporters range from unwavering loyalty and acceptance of his most extreme statements to cautious criticism tempered by political considerations. Their reactions reflect the complex dynamics within the Republican Party, where Trump continues to exert significant influence even as some members express concern over his anti-democratic rhetoric and actions.
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Kamala Harris' response
In December 2022, former President Donald Trump suggested that the "termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution" was justified. This statement was in reference to his baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud. Trump's exact words on Truth Social were, "A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution... Our great 'Founder' did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!"
Trump's statement was denounced by many, including the White House, which responded with the following: "The American Constitution is a sacrosanct document that for over 200 years has guaranteed that freedom and the rule of law prevail in our great country. Attacking the Constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation."
Kamala Harris, who was serving as the Vice President of the United States at the time, did not directly address Trump's comments. However, as a member of the Democratic Party, Harris has consistently fought for the people and the rule of law. She has broken barriers as the first female, first African American, and first Asian American vice president, proudly serving a diverse group of Americans. Harris's political career has been marked by a commitment to upholding the Constitution, having served as the District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, and a United States Senator prior to her vice presidency.
While Harris did not specifically respond to Trump's call for an end to the Constitution, her political career and actions demonstrate a strong commitment to the rule of law and the principles enshrined in the Constitution. As a former prosecutor and attorney, Harris has a deep understanding of the law and the importance of upholding it. It can be reasonably assumed that she would vehemently oppose any attempts to subvert the Constitution, given her dedication to the democratic process and the protection of the rights of all Americans.
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Republican lawmakers' response
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump suggested that the "termination of all rules...even those found in the Constitution" was merited, as he continued to push the false claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud. Trump's statement was denounced by the White House and led to calls for intervention from then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Trump's comments sparked strong reactions from Republican lawmakers, with some choosing to condemn his remarks while others remained silent or even supported his sentiments. Here is a detailed look at the responses from Republican lawmakers:
Condemnation from Republican Lawmakers:
- Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, vehemently disagreed with and condemned Trump's remarks. He emphasized the importance of the political process and stated that such statements would be considered when evaluating candidates for the Republican Party in 2024.
- Rep.-elect Mike Lawler, R-New York, objected to Trump's focus on past grievances and highlighted the purpose of the Constitution in protecting the rights of Americans. He advised Trump to look towards the future if he intends to run for president again.
- Incoming House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump's statement as "strange and extreme," urging Republicans to decide between embracing Trump's anti-democratic views or returning to reasonableness.
- Spokesperson Andrew Bates asserted that the American Constitution is a "sacrosanct document" that guarantees freedom and the rule of law. He stated that attacking the Constitution goes against the very soul of the nation.
Silence or Support from Other Republicans:
- During the first GOP primary debate in 2024, most Republican candidates avoided criticizing Trump, with the notable exception of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was rebuked by the crowd and his fellow candidates for doing so.
- Congressman Ogles proposed amending the 22nd Amendment to allow Trump to serve a third term, praising Trump's "decisive leadership" and expressing a desire to sustain it.
- Steve Bannon, a former Trump strategist, called for Trump to run again during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
- Kayla Thompson, a 30-year-old former paralegal in Wisconsin, expressed her support for Trump, stating that America needs him and is headed in the right direction.
The responses from Republican lawmakers varied, with some strongly condemning Trump's statements as an attack on the foundation of American democracy, while others remained silent or even supported his controversial views and ambitions for a third term.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in December 2022, Trump called for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, including those found in the Constitution, due to his baseless claim that he lost the 2020 election because of widespread voter fraud.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, "A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution. Our great 'Founder' did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!".
Trump's statement was widely criticized and denounced by both Democrats and top-ranking Republicans. The White House assailed Trump, saying, "You cannot only love America when you win." Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump's statement as "strange and extreme".
Trump's statement led to calls urging then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to intervene. Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said he "vehemently" disagreed and "absolutely" condemned the remarks.
