During the 2024 campaign, Trump promised to be a dictator on his first day back in office. This weekend, Donald Trump told NBC News that he is seriously considering seeking a third term as president. And in his own words, he’s “not joking.” Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s recent dictator-like behavior.
Trump Wants a Third Term
Trump has made it clear that he wants to stay in office, even if it means breaking the law. Ever since the January 6th attacks on the US Capitol and Trump’s loss to former President Joe Biden, Trump has not been shy about his belief that he belongs in the White House.
The first time he mentioned it after the 2024 election was when he told House conservatives that he would run again if they wanted to “figure something else out.” Shortly thereafter, conservative Congressman Andy Ogles introduced a resolution to extend presidential term limits to twelve years, but only if the candidate had not already served two consecutive terms.
Since Inauguration Day, Trump has publicly touted plans for a third term three times. He and his allies say there are several methods he could use to achieve this goal, but decline to say what they are. Attempting to stay in office is certainly dictator-like behavior.
Trump Wants to Invade Greenland and Canada
In another recent NBC interview, Trump doubled down on his plan to annex Greenland. He told NBC that he was 100% sure he could take over Greenland, and said he would not take military force off the table. Greenland’s Prime Minister is standing firm against Trump and made clear that Greenland will not yield to Trump’s bullying.
Trump is also continuing to discuss annexing Canada, despite opposition from the country’s government and citizens.
Trump is Trying to Change Voting Laws
Trump issued an executive order that will make voting more difficult for many U.S. citizens by requiring people registering to vote to provide documentation proving they are U.S. citizens. Many Americans do not have easy access to their birth certificates, and only about half have U.S. passports. Additionally, anyone who has changed their name would need to bring multiple documents. The law already states that only U.S. citizens can vote, and the executive order needlessly complicates the process.
Minnesota progressives are pushing back against Trump’s order. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon explained that in Minnesota, only three non-citizens had voted in the past 10 years, out of 13.3 million people who voted – a nearly perfect record. According to Simon, this executive order would complicate voting, or make it nearly impossible, for far more eligible voters than the tiny number of ineligible voters it might stop. It would also likely jeopardize same-day voter registration in Minnesota.
Trump threatened to take away federal funding for elections from any state that doesn’t comply with the order.
Trump’s actions are already impacting Minnesotans. Together, we’ll stand up to Trump, hold conservatives accountable, and protect our democratic process. Sign up to receive updates from ABM about all things politics, and the issues that matter most to Minnesotans.
