“Trump Immediately Becomes a Lame Duck President”: Professor Highlights a Major Weakness
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/File via CNN Newsource
Former President Donald Trump’s political comeback is undeniable, but one glaring vulnerability could undermine his influence, argues E.J. Dionne Jr., a Washington Post columnist and Georgetown University government professor. Writing over the weekend, Dionne emphasized that Trump’s status as a “lame duck” president, constrained by the 22nd Amendment, could limit his effectiveness and reshape the dynamics of Republican politics.
The Impact of the 22nd Amendment
Dionne began by pointing out the constitutional limits of Trump’s potential second term. “It is clear and unambiguous,” he noted, referencing the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits any president from serving more than two terms. Trump’s inability to seek reelection would make him a lame duck from the moment of his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
“This means that when he is inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump immediately becomes a lame duck president,” Dionne wrote. “This has important implications for everyone in government. That’s especially true for Republicans.”
A Party Looking Beyond Trump
Dionne argued that this limitation could encourage Republicans to start contemplating a future without Trump. For nearly a decade, he noted, many GOP lawmakers have “cowered in fear over the costs of defying Trump.” But now, ambitious Republicans—senators, House members, and governors—might begin prioritizing their own political aspirations over loyalty to Trump.
“After nearly a decade… ambitious senators, House members, and governors will be contemplating their own futures in a world without him,” Dionne observed. He pointed to recent signs of independence within the GOP, such as the Senate’s rejection of MAGA-aligned Rick Scott for GOP leadership. This, Dionne suggested, indicates the party’s capacity to think beyond Trump. He urged Republicans to continue asserting themselves, particularly when Trump’s “autocratic tendencies” come to the fore.
Holding Trump in Check
“Recognizing the limitations of a Trump presidency is a first step toward holding Trump in check,” Dionne wrote. He added that this shift in perspective might help free American politics from Trump’s dominating influence, allowing for a healthier political environment.
The Risk of Complacency
Despite Trump’s lame-duck status, Dionne warned against underestimating his power. “There should be no complacency about what Trump can do. He has a lot of power,” Dionne wrote, noting that the MAGA movement exerts considerable pressure on Republican dissenters.
The key question for GOP politicians, according to Dionne, is how much they are willing to risk for a president whose political future is constitutionally limited. “Many in the party no doubt wonder if Trump’s sway over his followers will ever go away,” he concluded.
