Eleanor Finch
Former US President Donald Trump has been criticised for his comments regarding the termination of the US Constitution. In December 2022, Trump suggested that termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution was justified due to his baseless claim of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Trump's remarks were denounced by members of both parties, including White House officials and Republicans, who emphasised the sanctity of the Constitution and its role in protecting the rights of Americans. Additionally, Trump has expressed uncertainty about upholding the Constitution in relation to granting due process rights to immigrants facing deportation, citing the need for rapid deportations. These statements have sparked concerns about his commitment to the rule of law and democratic values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | December 2022 |
| Reason | Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen |
| Trump's claim | "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 response | "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." |
| Trump's stance on upholding the Constitution | "I don't know" |
| Trump's stance on a third term | "I don't know if that's constitutional that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else." |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's stance on the US Constitution and immigrants' rights
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it provides limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of US citizens. Former President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to ''terminate' parts of the Constitution, specifically those that guarantee the right to freedom and the rule of law. This statement was made in the context of his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen, and it has been widely condemned by officials from both parties as an attack on the very soul of the nation.
Trump's stance on the Constitution and immigrants' rights is a key area of concern. He has stated that he does not know if he needs to uphold the US Constitution when it comes to giving immigrants the right of due process. This ambiguity is particularly notable given his campaign promises of mass deportations, which would require him to arrest, detain, and remove millions of immigrants, and his administration's hardline immigration crackdown, which has resulted in the stripping of legal immigration status from hundreds of thousands of people.
Trump's immigration policies have been criticised for their potential to violate constitutional protections. For example, his plan to detain everyone arrested for immigration violations would violate Fifth Amendment protections against arbitrary detention, and his attempt to expand fast-track "expedited removal" procedures curtails immigrants' ability to defend themselves against deportation. Furthermore, the ACLU has established that Trump's immigration enforcement sweeps have racially profiled Latine residents, violating the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.
Trump's stance on the Constitution and immigrants' rights is complex. While he has acknowledged the constitutional constraints preventing him from seeking a third term, he has also suggested that he does not know if these constraints are valid, stating that he is "not a lawyer". This uncertainty about the Constitution's authority over presidential term limits and immigrants' rights highlights a potential disregard for the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights, which are core principles of the US Constitution.
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Trump's claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent
In the aftermath of the 2020 US presidential election, Donald Trump refused to concede and alleged widespread and unparalleled voter fraud. Trump's supporters deployed several statistical arguments to support his claim that the election was stolen. These included contentions that millions of fraudulent ballots were cast, voting machines were manipulated, and thousands of votes were recorded for dead people. Trump also asserted that "suitcases" full of fraudulent ballots in Georgia cost him the election in that state. However, state and county officials confirmed that the containers in question were regular ballot containers on wheels used in normal ballot processing.
Trump's claim of a stolen election has been widely discredited. The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency stated that the November 3rd, 2020, election was the most secure in American history. Additionally, then-Attorney General William Barr declared that a Justice Department investigation found no evidence of widespread voter fraud that Trump alleged was part of a massive conspiracy to steal the election. Barr noted that they had not seen fraud on a scale that could have changed the election's outcome.
Trump's allegations of voter fraud have been scrutinized and fact-checked by various organizations and officials. A review of ballots and records from over 300 local election offices revealed that almost every instance of voter fraud was committed by individuals acting alone rather than as part of a coordinated conspiracy. The cases involved both registered Democrats and Republicans, and the individuals were typically caught before the fraudulent ballot was counted. Additionally, while there have been instances of noncitizens on voter rolls, this has sometimes occurred accidentally during processes like obtaining a driver's license.
Trump's insistence on voter fraud has had significant repercussions. He faced rebuke from officials in both parties after calling for the "'termination' of parts of the Constitution due to his false claims of election fraud. Trump's statement was described as strange and extreme, and it prompted discussions within the Republican Party about whether to continue embracing his anti-democratic views. Despite some criticism from fellow Republicans, many have avoided directly condemning him, and he continues to hold influence within the party.
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Trump's refusal to commit to a two-term limit
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump suggested the "termination" of all rules and regulations, including those found in the Constitution, citing baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. While Trump later attempted to clarify his statement, his comments were denounced by both Democrats and Republicans, who viewed them as an attack on the foundational document of the nation.
While Trump has not explicitly stated that he intends to violate the two-term limit, his comments have prompted concerns about the potential destabilization of the US political landscape. Experts and legal scholars have emphasized that there is "no wiggle room" in the 22nd Amendment and that any attempts to challenge the term limits would face significant legal and political obstacles. Nonetheless, Trump's continued refusal to commit to a two-term limit has fueled speculation and uncertainty about his future political ambitions.
Trump's stance on the two-term limit and his broader relationship with the Constitution remain a divisive issue. While some interpret his comments as a threat to the foundation of American democracy, others within his supporter base continue to rally behind him. As the 2028 election approaches, the possibility of a new constitutional amendment to definitively block a third Trump term has been suggested, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding Trump's political future.
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Trump's relationship with the Republican Party
Donald Trump's relationship with the Republican Party has been a complex and evolving one. Trump registered as a Republican in 1987 and has been a member of the party since 2012. He has often been seen as a political outsider and has presented himself as such during his campaigns. Trump's rise within the Republican Party can be attributed to his ""outsider" status and lack of political experience, which gained him significant support from voters.
In 2016, Trump became the Republican Party's nominee for the presidential election, running against the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. He won the election, becoming the 45th President of the United States and serving from 2017 to 2021. During his presidency, Trump pursued policies that were often at odds with traditional Republican conservatism. He rolled back environmental and business regulations, imposed tariffs, and initiated a trade war with China, fostering economic and political uncertainty. Despite this, Trump enjoyed strong support within the Republican Party, with his faction becoming dominant within the party.
Despite the controversies, Trump remains influential within the Republican Party. He has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election and continues to have a strong base of supporters within the party. However, there are also prominent Republicans who have criticised him, such as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who attacked Trump during the 2024 GOP primary debate.
Overall, Trump's relationship with the Republican Party is complex and multifaceted. While he has enjoyed strong support and dominance within the party, his controversial statements, policies, and actions have also created divisions and led to criticism from some Republicans.
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Trump's relationship with the media
Former US President Donald Trump has had a complex and often contentious relationship with the media. Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently used the media to spread his message and connect with his supporters, but he has also been highly critical of the press, often accusing them of bias and spreading "fake news".
Trump has been known to utilise traditional and social media platforms to communicate directly with the American people, bypassing the traditional media gatekeepers. He has used Twitter and other social media sites to share his thoughts, policies, and opinions, allowing him to shape the news cycle and control the narrative. This direct communication style has helped him build a strong connection with his base, who appreciate his unfiltered approach.
However, Trump has also had a combative relationship with the mainstream media, often criticising news outlets and journalists who disagree with him or publish unfavourable stories. He has branded critical media outlets as ""fake news"" and accused them of spreading misinformation and bias. During his presidency, Trump frequently attacked the press, labelling them the ""enemy of the people"" and claiming that they were out to get him. He singled out specific news organisations and journalists, encouraging his supporters to distrust them and even inciting harassment and threats against members of the media.
Despite his criticisms, Trump has also relied on the media to spread his message and shape public opinion. He has given exclusive interviews to friendly outlets and used media appearances to announce policies and personnel changes. Trump's administration also strategically leaked information to the press to shape public perception and exert pressure on political opponents.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in December 2022, Donald Trump called for the "termination" of parts of the US Constitution. This was in response to his baseless 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. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the statement as "strange and extreme". Other Republicans, such as Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio and Rep.-elect Mike Lawler of New York, also objected to the remarks.
Trump later attempted to walk back his statement, claiming that the media was trying to convince people that he wanted to terminate the Constitution. He clarified that he was referring to the need to take immediate action in response to the alleged fraud in the 2020 election.
In May 2025, Trump said he didn't know if he needed to uphold the US Constitution when it came to giving immigrants the right to due process. He argued that fulfilling his campaign promise of rapid mass deportations may take precedence over due process, which is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Trump acknowledged that a third term is prohibited by a constitutional amendment but stated that some people want him to serve a third term. He did not explicitly say whether he supported amending the Constitution to allow for a third term.
