In a recent interview with The Economist, Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist, disclosed that there is a strategic plan being developed that could allow President Donald Trump to continue his presidency beyond the 2028 election cycle. Bannon, known for his provocative statements and close association with President Trump, suggested that the details of this plan would be revealed at an appropriate time.
“At the appropriate time we’ll lay out what the plan is, but there’s a plan and President Trump will be the president in ’28,” Bannon stated. His comments have stirred up a flurry of speculation and concern about the constitutional limitations on presidential terms. The U.S. Constitution currently restricts a president to two elected terms in office, creating a barrier to any attempt to extend a presidency beyond eight years.
When questioned about potential constitutional issues, Bannon alluded to multiple pathways to overcome these legal challenges, though he refrained from providing concrete details. He expressed unwavering confidence in President Trump’s ability to win the 2028 election, regardless of who the Democratic opponent might be. Bannon portrayed the upcoming election as more winnable than the contests in 2016 and 2024, emphasizing the need to "finish what we started."
Bannon's remarks coincide with reports of recent additions to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who are known Trump supporters and have been involved with controversial election claims. Notably, Heather Honey, DHS' point person on election issues, discussed the possibility of President Trump declaring a national emergency following an investigation into the 2020 election, which could grant the administration extraordinary powers.
This revelation comes after two additional Trump supporters, attorney Kurt Olsen and activist Marci McCarthy, joined DHS. McCarthy is now part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has seen election experts placed on leave or reassigned since President Trump resumed office.
A DHS spokesperson has defended the administration's actions, stating that under President Trump and Secretary Noem, CISA has refocused on its core mission of securing the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Bannon initially mentioned his involvement in developing a legal approach for President Trump's 2028 run during a NewsNation interview with Chris Cuomo in March. He vaguely referred to "working on it" and presenting "a couple of alternatives" regarding Constitutional term limits.
While the specifics of the supposed plan remain undisclosed, the conversation has ignited debate over the sanctity of the U.S. electoral process and the Constitution. Legal experts, political scientists, and the broader public are closely watching for any developments that may clarify Bannon's assertions.
