California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has become a star in the Democratic Party, warned on Sunday that there is a GOP leader who could decide the fate of President Donald Trump's attempts to serve a third term in 2028 during an interview with CNN.
Newsom predicted that Trump's second term would "de facto end" if Democrats can retake control of the House of Representatives during the 2026 midterm election. That would give the party control over the federal budget and give them the ability to impeach Trump for acts he takes while in office.
However, there may be a dark-horse waiting in the wings to undercut Democrats' chances of retaking the White House in 2028, Newsom warned.
"Finally, you have rebalanced the system, coequal branch of government begins to assert itself, it appears again,” Newsom told CNN. “If you have a Speaker [Mike] Johnson (R-LA), we may have a third term of President Trump, I really believe that.”
Trump has consistently talked about running for a third term, something that is expressly prohibited by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. While some Republicans have rebuffed the chatter, Johnson has not weighed in on Trump's plans.
Trump ally Steve Bannon has said there is a plan to install Trump as president in 2028.