Simone Lawson
Former US President Donald Trump faced backlash from both parties after calling for the termination of parts of the US Constitution. Trump's comments were made in relation to his baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud. Trump's suggestion that all rules and regulations, including those in the Constitution, should be terminated in light of massive fraud was denounced by the White House and members of his own party, sparking concerns about his commitment to democracy and the rule of law. This incident adds to the ongoing debate about Trump's potential third presidential term and his relationship with the US Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd December 2022 |
| Reason | Trump's false claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud |
| Platform | Truth Social |
| Condemned by | Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, Rep.-elect Mike Lawler, the White House, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Kamala Harris |
| Denied by | Trump, who called the accusation "disinformation and lies" |
| Loophole | A loophole in the 22nd Amendment could allow Trump to be president until 2037 |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump called for the "termination" of parts of the US Constitution, citing massive fraud in the 2020 election that allowed Joe Biden to win. Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform:
> "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 the White House and officials from both parties, including top Republicans like Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio and Rep.-elect Mike Lawler of New York. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump's statement as "strange and extreme," urging Republicans to break from Trump's anti-democratic views.
Trump's efforts to cast doubt on the 2020 election results included unsubstantiated claims of voting by noncitizens and issues with ballot drop boxes. He also alleged that Democrats were trying to get illegal immigrants to vote, despite only US citizens being eligible to vote in federal elections. Trump's claims about a stolen election could discourage voters, including Republicans, from participating in future elections if they believe their votes won't count.
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Trump's call to terminate the Constitution
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump faced backlash from both parties after calling for the "'termination'" of parts of the US Constitution. Trump, who announced his 2024 presidential bid the previous month, made the claim on his Truth Social media platform. Trump wrote, "A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution," referring to his baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud.
Trump's statement was denounced by many as "strange and extreme," with Republicans urged to break from him and his anti-democratic views. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described it as "anathema to the soul of our nation." Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said he "vehemently" disagreed and "absolutely" condemned the remarks, adding that they should be considered when evaluating candidates for the Republican Party's nomination. Rep.-elect Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., also objected, saying Trump should focus on the future instead of "grievances of prior elections." The White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded, "You cannot only love America when you win... 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."
Trump later attempted to walk back his statement, claiming that the media was spreading "DISINFORMATION AND LIES." He clarified that he believed "steps must be immediately taken to RIGHT THE WRONG" in the case of "MASSIVE & WIDESPREAD FRAUD & DECEPTION." Trump's suggestion has been interpreted as a potential path for him to serve a third presidential term, exploiting a loophole in the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. This loophole could theoretically allow Trump to remain in office until 2037.
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Reactions from the White House and Republicans
Trump's comments sparked a wave of reactions from both the White House and Republicans. The White House spokesman, Andrew Bates, issued a strong statement, saying:
> "You cannot only love America when you win. 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."
Several Republican lawmakers also spoke out against Trump's remarks. Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said he "vehemently" disagreed and "absolutely" condemned the comments. He added that Republicans should consider these statements when deciding who should lead their party in 2024. Similarly, Rep.-elect Mike Lawler of New York objected, urging Trump to focus on the future instead of past election grievances. He emphasized that the Constitution is set to protect the rights of Americans.
Despite the controversial nature of Trump's statement, the Republican Party's 2024 candidates, with the exception of Trump himself, avoided directly criticizing him during their first GOP primary debate. However, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie stood out by rebuking Trump, which led to jeers from the crowd and criticism from fellow candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
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Trump's response to criticism
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump faced criticism from both parties after calling for the "termination" of parts of the US Constitution. Trump's comments were made in the context of his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform:
> "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 described as "strange and extreme" by the incoming House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, who added that Republicans would have to choose whether to continue embracing Trump's anti-democratic views. Jeffries appeared on ABC's "This Week" to discuss the matter. Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said he "vehemently" disagreed with and "absolutely" condemned the remarks, stating that they should be a factor in the Republican Party's decision-making process for the 2024 election. Rep.-elect Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., also objected, saying:
> "The Constitution is set for a reason, to protect the rights of every American. I think the former president would be well-advised to focus on the future, if he is going to run for president again."
The White House spokesman, Andrew Bates, responded to Trump's comments with the following statement:
> "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. You cannot only love America when you win."
In response to the criticism, Trump attempted to walk back his statement, writing on Truth Social:
> "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. What I said was that when there is 'MASSIVE & WIDESPREAD FRAUD & DECEPTION,' as has been irrefutably proven in the 2020 Presidential Election, steps must be immediately taken to RIGHT THE WRONG."
Trump's initial comments were also denounced by Texas Senator Ted Cruz and other top-ranking Republicans.
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Trump's potential third term
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump called for the "termination" of parts of the US Constitution, citing false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Trump's statement was widely criticised by politicians from both parties, including top-ranking Republicans such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who said he "absolutely" condemns the remarks. The White House also denounced Trump's comments, stating that the Constitution is a "sacrosanct document" that guarantees freedom and the rule of law.
Despite this controversy, Trump announced his intention to run for president again in 2024. Speculation arose that Trump could potentially serve a third term, and even a fourth, until 2037 due to a loophole in the 22nd Amendment. This amendment, ratified in 1804, states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice". However, a 1999 Minnesota Law Review article co-authored by Professor Bruce Peabody interprets this to mean that only a twice-elected president is prohibited from serving additional terms. This loophole could theoretically be exploited to allow Trump to serve a third term, though it would likely be met with significant legal and political challenges.
Trump's relationship with the Constitution has been a source of controversy. In addition to his calls for "terminating" parts of it, he has also been accused of equating opposition with illegality and attempting to intimidate opponents. His administration's use of a constitutional loophole to "disappear" people without due process has been criticised as a frightening power grab. Trump's actions and statements suggest a potential disregard for the rule of law and democratic norms, which has sparked debates about the future of American politics and the role of the Constitution in limiting presidential power.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in December 2022, Trump called for the "termination" of parts of the US Constitution.
Trump made the statement in relation to his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to widespread voter fraud.
Trump's statement was widely criticized by both parties and described as "strange and extreme".
Yes, Trump was rebuked by officials from both parties and the White House. There were also calls for then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to intervene.
