Simone Lawson
Former US President Donald Trump has faced widespread criticism and condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum for his calls to 'terminate' the US Constitution. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed that massive fraud in the 2020 election allowed for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution. This statement, based on his long-debunked lie about a stolen election, has sparked outrage and concern, with many viewing it as a threat to American democracy. While some Republican lawmakers have sharply criticized Trump's comments, the majority have remained silent, creating a divide within the party as they grapple with his continued influence and controversial statements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for calling for termination | False claims of election fraud |
| Date of statement | December 2022 |
| Platform used | Truth Social |
| Response from Republicans | 29 out of 336 former and current GOP members of Congress and governors disagreed with Trump's statement, 7 did not see it as problematic, and the vast majority remained silent |
| Response from White House | "You cannot only love America when you win." |
| Response from Mike Turner | "Absolutely" condemns the remarks |
| Response from Mike Lawler | Trump should focus on the future instead of "grievances of prior elections" |
| Trump's view on upholding the Constitution | "I don't know." |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's 2024 presidential run
In November 2022, Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign, marking his fourth presidential run. This campaign is Trump's third as the Republican Party's candidate, following his 2016 and 2020 bids. Trump's 2024 campaign faced several challenges, including legal actions, indictments, and a felony conviction, which resulted in funding shortages. Additionally, questions arose regarding his eligibility due to his role in the January 6 Capitol attack, with some courts ruling him ineligible to hold office. However, these attempts to disqualify him were unsuccessful, and he was officially nominated at the Republican National Convention in July 2024, choosing Ohio senator JD Vance as his running mate.
Trump's 2024 campaign platform embraced far-right extremism, conspiracy theories, and militia movements to a greater extent than any modern American president. He advocated for mass deportation of illegal immigrants, an "America First" foreign policy, skepticism of Ukraine, support for Israel, anti-transgender policies, and tariffs. Trump also made inaccurate claims about lowering prices, such as cheaper eggs and lower gas prices, during his campaign. Furthermore, he refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the 2024 election, stating, "it depends."
Trump's campaign faced opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans. Democratic governors criticized his policies, while some Republicans, including members of the House Intelligence Committee, condemned his remarks about terminating parts of the Constitution due to his false claims of a stolen 2020 election. Despite these controversies, Trump's campaign gained traction, and he won the Electoral College and the popular vote in the 2024 election, defeating the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
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Trump's 2020 election loss
In the 2020 United States presidential election, Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden, who became the Democratic presidential nominee. Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, became the first African-American, first Asian-American, and third female vice-presidential nominee on a major party ticket. Trump's loss marked the end of his presidency and the beginning of a new administration.
Trump's defeat in the 2020 election was influenced by several factors. One key mistake was hiring Brad Parscale as his campaign manager. Parscale, while a digital expert, was a political novice who had never managed a campaign before. Trump's campaign was also marked by scandals and controversies, including his refusal to address the country's racial disparities and his downplaying of the COVID-19 pandemic, which landed him in the hospital. His response to the pandemic was a significant factor in his loss, as polling showed a dip in support, particularly among suburban, college-educated, non-liberal men.
Trump's presidency and re-election bid were characterized by his talent for channeling anger and resentment, exposing cracks in American democracy, and inflaming the nation. He governed only for his base and ran for re-election without pivoting toward the center, failing to articulate a clear policy vision for a second term. Trump's loss was also influenced by an exodus of suburbanites, white women, college-educated voters, and independents from the Republican Party.
Trump's response to his election loss was marked by denial and conspiracy theories. He refused to concede and privately encouraged his legal team to pursue legal challenges, claiming electoral fraud without providing evidence. Trump's actions in the aftermath of the election have been described as an attempted self-coup d'état. In August 2023, he was indicted on four counts for conspiring to overturn the election results, but the case was later dismissed after his victory in the 2024 election.
Trump's loss in the 2020 election had significant repercussions for his political career and public image. It made him the first president in nearly 30 years to be cast aside after a single term, a difficult blow to his ego and craving for praise. Trump's refusal to accept the election results and his baseless claims of fraud led to widespread criticism and concerns about his commitment to democracy.
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Trump's social media posts
In a social media post on his Truth Social platform in December 2022, former President Donald Trump called for the termination of the United States Constitution, citing his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen. In the post, Trump wrote:
> Do you throw the Presidential Election Results of 2020 OUT and declare the RIGHTFUL WINNER, or do you have a NEW ELECTION? 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 post received widespread criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with many condemning his remarks and emphasising the importance of the Constitution in protecting the rights of Americans. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump's statement as "strange and extreme," while White House spokesman Andrew Bates asserted that "attacking the Constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation."
Trump's social media activity has been a source of controversy on other occasions as well. In May 2024, during an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press," Trump questioned whether it was his job to uphold the Constitution, responding with "I don't know" when asked if he needed to abide by it. He also expressed uncertainty about the constitutionality of a third term as president, despite acknowledging the existence of a constitutional amendment prohibiting it. Trump's comments sparked further debate among his supporters and critics, with some interpreting them as a desire to remain in office beyond the traditional two-term limit.
In addition to his social media presence, Trump has utilized his platform as a former president to continue spreading election misinformation and employing increasingly violent rhetoric. Despite this, he has been reinstated on major social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Trump's influence and controversial statements continue to shape political discourse and raise questions about his commitment to democratic values.
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Republican responses
Several Republicans have spoken out against former President Donald Trump's suggestion that "Massive Fraud" allows for the "termination" of all rules and regulations, including those found in the Constitution.
Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said he "vehemently" disagrees and "absolutely" condemns the remarks, adding that they should be a factor in the Republican Party's decision-making process for 2024. Similarly, Rep.-elect Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., objected to Trump's comments, emphasizing that "The Constitution is set for a reason, to protect the rights of every American." He advised Trump to focus on the future if he intends to run for president again.
Trump's former Vice President, Mike Pence, also spoke out against his proposal, stating, "I think that everyone that serves in public office, everyone that aspires to serve or serve again, should make it clear that we will support and defend the Constitution of the United States."
In addition, the White House deputy press secretary, Andrew Bates, responded to Trump's statement, highlighting the Constitution's history as the pillar of American politics: "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. The Constitution brings the American people together – regardless of party – and elected leaders swear to uphold it. Attacking the Constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation, and should be universally condemned. You cannot only love America when you win."
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Trump's immigration policy
In December 2022, former US President Donald Trump called for the termination of the US Constitution, citing his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen. This statement was met with widespread criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with many condemning his remarks and emphasising the importance of upholding the Constitution.
Now, let's focus on Trump's immigration policies:
Donald Trump's presidency was marked by significant changes and proposals related to immigration policies. During his first term, Trump addressed a wide range of immigration issues, including asylum, deportation, refugee resettlement, and admissions from certain majority-Muslim countries. One of Trump's notable immigration policies was his attempt to end birthright citizenship, a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. This policy shift sparked debates and legal challenges, with immigrant rights groups filing lawsuits questioning the legality of such orders.
Trump's administration also implemented a "zero-tolerance" policy, which resulted in the controversial practice of family separation at the US-Mexico border. This policy aimed to deter illegal immigration but faced strong opposition due to ethical concerns. Additionally, Trump's rhetoric and actions contributed to a climate of fear among immigrants, impacting their daily lives and decisions.
Trump's approach to immigration enforcement included a focus on increasing the number of immigration officers and utilizing military force. He aimed for efficient and total enforcement of immigration laws, targeting "removable aliens" who were deemed to threaten the safety and security of US citizens. This included revoking policies from the previous administration that were believed to contribute to the presence of illegal aliens in the country.
Trump's stance on immigration has been described as bold and dramatic, often laced with issues of race and class. His policies and language built upon earlier discourses on immigration, with a particular focus on distinguishing between "illegal aliens" and "lawful immigrants." Trump's administration also faced constraints and challenges in fully implementing its immigration agenda, including legal battles and pushback from Congress.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in December 2022, Trump called for the termination of the US Constitution, citing his belief that the 2020 election was stolen.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote: "Do you throw the Presidential Election Results of 2020 OUT and declare the RIGHTFUL WINNER, or do you have a NEW ELECTION? 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 faced rebuke from officials in both parties, with some Republican lawmakers sharply criticising him. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump’s statement as "strange and extreme", and White House spokesman Andrew Bates said: "You cannot only love America when you win... Attacking the Constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation and should be universally condemned."
Yes, in an interview in May 2024, Trump said "I don't know" when asked if it was his job to uphold the US Constitution as president. He also said that he saw himself as leaving office at the end of his second term, but that he was unsure if the constitutional ban on a third term was valid.
