'Folks have to be careful': MAGA rep warns Trump can't ignore Constitution to run again

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is uncomfortable with President Donald Trump's repeated insistence that he might be able to run for a third term despite the Constitution explicitly saying he can't — but he still found a way to blame Democrats for the controversy, in a conversation with CNN's Kasie Hunt on Monday.

Many far-right associates of Trump dance around the issue, with Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley, a hand-picked Trump loyalist, saying he doesn't want to talk about that "at this time" because the midterm elections in 2026 are the priority.

Hunt posed the question to Lawler, who gave an eyebrow-raising response.

"Congressman, we were just having an extended discussion about some other comments that the president made in this interview that he said he is, quote, unquote, 'not joking' when he wants to run for a third term," said Hunt. "Do you think President Trump can run for a third term? Should he, and would you support him?"

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"Well, as a Republican, I and many would not be open to the idea of Barack Obama running for a third term," replied Lawler. "And so I think that folks have to be careful here. If you're starting to question the constitutionality of this, my view is that the Constitution is very clear. You can serve two terms as president. And, you know, if it was good enough for George Washington, it's good enough for everyone else."

However, Lawler nonetheless ended by chiding Democratic lawmakers for being so hung up on Trump's words.

"I fundamentally believe the president was elected here to do the job," he said. "I think he's doing it well. But he needs to focus his effort and energy on this. And I think some of my Democratic colleagues need to learn to stop taking the bait on everything he says."

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