Halima Ahmed

When I read the NBC article suggesting that U.S. President Donald Trump could possibly run again in 2028, I was distraught and disappointed. Everyone knows a third term is unconstitutional, but the fact that it’s being floated at all —  even jokingly — is alarming. The Trump Organization is already selling “Trump 2028” hats, and although Trump downplayed the idea in a recent interview, his recent comment, “So many people want me to do it … there are ways of doing it,” only adds fuel to the fire. He’s built such a powerful platform that even hinting at breaking the rules feels like a real possibility. Trump has painted a vision of America that appeals to many people, one where they feel like they are back in power. That vision is not only strong enough to make even an illegal idea like a third term seem believable, but it also raises a bigger question: how far are people willing to go to make it happen?  Especially because part of our system of checks and balances includes the people, and that influence should not be ignored.

This is not harmless political theater; we have already seen what this kind of rhetoric can do. On Jan. 6, 2021, Congress was meeting to affirm former U.S. president Joe Biden’s electoral victory. At the same time, Trump was spreading lies that the election had been stolen and was rigged. A mob of his supporters gathered outside the White House, and Trump told them to “fight like hell,” and that is precisely what they did. They then stormed the Capitol, disrupted the vote certification, and threatened lawmakers. They acted with the same violent, lawless rage they claim to fear, and pretend to protect our democracy from. Then, once Trump was in office, he pardoned many of those responsible. So, who is to say they will not try again?

In a recent Wisconsin town hall, Democratic leaders accused Trump and his allies of trying to buy seats, instead of earning them. At a rally in Green Bay, Elon Musk handed out two  million dollar checks to people who signed petitions that block progressive, activist judges from taking office. This is not democracy; it is manipulation through wealth. They are bending the rules with money, and let us be honest: money makes people do dangerous things. 

Now, could Trump legally create a third-term campaign? No, the Constitution makes that clear. But what he can do, and is already doing, is build a movement by exploiting the struggles of those suffering economically, all while pointing the finger at the Black and Brown communities. He does not need to offer real solutions; all he has to do is identify a problem, place blame, and promise to fix it.  A third term might be unconstitutional, but Trump has proven he does not need legality to shape reality. All he needs is a loyal base and a narrative that says “they are taking your country away,” and he has both.

The scarier question is not whether Trump runs again but whether our safeguards for democracy, including the American people, are strong enough to push back. Checks and balances only work if we exercise them. We cannot let our voice in a democracy boil down to just voting once every four years. We must hold politicians accountable before, during, and after they leave office.

For many people, 2024 felt like another lesser-of-two-evils election. This is the inevitable result of our two-party system. However, if there is one lesson we should carry into the next election cycle, it is this: make your candidate earn your vote. Democracy does not end at the ballot box; it starts there. Even if the person you wanted does not win, you still have the power and responsibility to hold them accountable.