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BumRushDaShow

(160,136 posts)
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:13 AM Aug 4

Beto O'Rourke Says Third Trump Term Is Coming If Texas Democrats Don't Fight Back

Source: Huff Post

Aug 3, 2025, 08:35 PM EDT


Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke warns Democrats of a third Donald Trump term if they don’t stop Republicans from gerrymandering Texas and giving them an additional five seats in Congress.

“No longer will we have a check on his lawlessness, accountability for his corruption and crimes, and we will see a Republican-majority Congress roll out the royal red carpet for a third Trump term,” O’Rourke said Saturday on MSNBC. “Those are the stakes and that’s why we got to fight and we got to fight to win.”

On Friday, during a special session about last month’s deadly Texas flooding, a Texas House panel advanced the redrawn map, which would add five new Republican districts in Texas, but O’Rourke said it’s not a “done deal” and Texas Democrats can deny their Republican counterparts the numbers to certify the maps. Trump’s team requested Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to call for a special session to redraw the map and Republican lawmakers have been honest about their plans, saying they are redrawing the map for political advantage.

O’Rourke said he hopes Texas Democrats will deny Republicans the votes and “deprive” Trump of the five seats, but ultimately, he wants Democrats to inspire Americans, who have been waiting for Democrats “to fight and to fight to win.” He continued by saying Democrats should aim to redraw districts now and gain even more seats in states that already hold a lot of Democratic seats, like California, New Jersey and Illinois.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beto-orourke-third-trump-term-coming-texas-democrats-fight-back_n_688fbc4ae4b01556427079dc

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Beto O'Rourke Says Third Trump Term Is Coming If Texas Democrats Don't Fight Back (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Aug 4 OP
if krasnov is alive in 2028 .... rampartd Aug 4 #1
I think that only applied if the name removal BumRushDaShow Aug 4 #3
Futurama is what immediately passed through my mind Alice B. Aug 4 #16
How do five House seats do that? FBaggins Aug 4 #2
Just like he's ignoring the 4th Amendment and the 14th Amendment BumRushDaShow Aug 4 #5
Has this concept been tried before? CTyankee Aug 5 #18
The 22nd Amendment BumRushDaShow Aug 5 #19
He doesn't even need to violate any amendments Shrek Aug 5 #20
There still might be wiggle room disallowing that BumRushDaShow Aug 5 #21
The text "shall be elected" is operative Shrek Aug 5 #22
He is not going to do three terms Beto. His health won't let him. He just wants to grift Bengus81 Aug 4 #4
Ha. That is not how this works Hornedfrog2000 Aug 4 #12
'This is our last best chance to stand and fight': Beto O'Rourke on Texas' redistricting plan - The Weekend Primetime Rhiannon12866 Aug 4 #6
Very disappointed Beto would engage in this idiotic conspiracy mongering. Wiz Imp Aug 4 #7
We can only hope Bluestocking Aug 4 #8
Which is when the real trouble will begin! (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Aug 4 #9
Based on what??? Hornedfrog2000 Aug 4 #13
This is just the opinion of one person but you can find lots of others online Wiz Imp Aug 4 #14
In theory, maybe. A good scare-tactic to get people motivated. But in reality, he won't finish this term. Oopsie Daisy Aug 4 #10
How about we cut to the chase Hornedfrog2000 Aug 4 #11
"...Democrats should aim to redraw districts..." SpankMe Aug 4 #15
DIck Trucy gonna last to 2029 Jan 21st and is there anywhere legally to bet on it?? Brainfodder Aug 4 #17

rampartd

(2,435 posts)
1. if krasnov is alive in 2028 ....
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:20 AM
Aug 4

doesn't trump vs colorado rule that a state can not deny him a place on the ballot?

his pickled head may be president in 3025, futurama style

BumRushDaShow

(160,136 posts)
3. I think that only applied if the name removal
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:32 AM
Aug 4

was done by invoking the "Insurrection Clause" (Sec. 3 of the 14th Amendment).

If any candidate did not properly follow state rules for gaining access to the ballot (e.g., valid petitions submitted by a deadline, etc), then they can and have been denied access, although most states have an option for a "Write-in" candidate too.

FBaggins

(28,430 posts)
2. How do five House seats do that?
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:26 AM
Aug 4

Particularly in a way that he can’t do it without the five seats.

BumRushDaShow

(160,136 posts)
5. Just like he's ignoring the 4th Amendment and the 14th Amendment
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:48 AM
Aug 4

he'll ignore the 22nd Amendment and have his nifty RW extremist hack lawyers argue to the SCOTUS that the 22nd Amendment "only applies" to "consecutive terms", and will have their zombie Congress pass some law that "clarifies" what the 22nd Amendment "means" (similar to how laws have been enacted to "clarify" what the 12th Amendment "means", including a couple "Electoral Count Acts" ).

Based on his past rulings, John Roberts would potentially allow that crap.

BumRushDaShow

(160,136 posts)
19. The 22nd Amendment
Tue Aug 5, 2025, 08:51 AM
Aug 5

was finally ratified by the end of 1951. Before then, there was only one, during the 1880s - Grover Cleveland - who was President, then out for a term, then returned again for a 2nd term - https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/1600/presidents/grovercleveland24

He could have run again but the party (Democratic) booted him.

After that, 45 became the 2nd, 2-term non-consecutive President, but now with that Amendment in place (which was spearheaded by the GOP after their frustration of the 4-term FDR).

The GOP used to run on "term limits" - and there was a period when they pranced around "promising" to only be in for "1 term" (this was mostly those in Congress), but most reneged.

The GOP were the ones to suddenly start the CT about "3rd terms" and specifically targeted Obama -

Obama names his favorite conspiracy theory about himself

By Stephanie Condon
November 18, 2015 / 6:02 PM EST / CBS News


There are plenty of crazy stories about President Obama that have circulated on the Internet and beyond, but the president said there's one he finds particularly amusing. Asked to name the most entertaining Obama conspiracy theory, Mr. Obama said to GQ Magazine: "That military exercises we were doing in Texas were designed to begin martial law so that I could usurp the Constitution and stay in power longer. Anybody who thinks I could get away with telling Michelle I'm going to be president any longer than eight years does not know my wife."

The president was referring to the anxious speculation surrounding "Jade Helm 15," a three-month long military training exercise that took place earlier this year, spanning seven states. Some in Texas grew concerned the Obama administration was planning to "take over" the state after some conservative websites seized on an Army map that labeled Texas and Utah has "hostile" for the purposes of the simulation.

Of course, the federal government would never launch a "military takeover" of a state because federal law already -- in all cases -- trumps state law. Even so, concerns were so widespread that a group of Texans came together to monitor the military exercises. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott added fuel to the fire by ordering the state's National Guard to monitor the exercises as well.

While Mr. Obama told GQ that he could never get away with staying in the White House for a third term, he did suggest he'd enjoy entering the 2016 race: "I would've enjoyed campaigning against Trump. That would've been fun," he said.

(snip)


That article was published 10 years ago and look where we are now.

Shrek

(4,309 posts)
20. He doesn't even need to violate any amendments
Tue Aug 5, 2025, 08:58 AM
Aug 5

All he needs is a couple of willing stand-ins to run on the Republican ticket, along with a Republican congress.

After the inauguration, the new VP immediately resigns. Trump is nominated and confirmed as the new VP. Then the new President resigns and Trump begins his third term.

Maybe farfetched, but entirely within the bounds of constitutional text.

BumRushDaShow

(160,136 posts)
21. There still might be wiggle room disallowing that
Tue Aug 5, 2025, 09:20 AM
Aug 5
Amendment XXII
Section 1.


No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

(snip)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxxii


So he might not be eligible to be nominated for VP and then suddenly ascend.

The issue they seem to want to argue is the allowance for more than 2 terms if the previous terms were "non-consecutive" single terms. I.e., in contrast to the very first part of the first sentence, which should be considered "clear cut". The only "except" was basically referring to Truman, who was in office at the time of ratification.

Shrek

(4,309 posts)
22. The text "shall be elected" is operative
Tue Aug 5, 2025, 09:35 AM
Aug 5

In the scenario I described, Trump is never elected to anything.

Bengus81

(9,366 posts)
4. He is not going to do three terms Beto. His health won't let him. He just wants to grift
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:32 AM
Aug 4

a few more billion by 2028 and then fly all over the World in his FREE $400M 747.

 

Hornedfrog2000

(866 posts)
12. Ha. That is not how this works
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 10:06 AM
Aug 4

Dictators dont step down until they are bed ridden, and maybe have a year or less to live. If you dont think this asshole would dictate from his fat ass sitting in a recliner, you havent been watching. We will hear how wise dear leader is, and he is the best we have available.

Rhiannon12866

(242,907 posts)
6. 'This is our last best chance to stand and fight': Beto O'Rourke on Texas' redistricting plan - The Weekend Primetime
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 07:53 AM
Aug 4


Former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke discusses Republicans' plan to redraw the maps in the state mid-decade and why it should matter to the rest of the country. He also weighs in on what the fight for Democrats looks like moving forward. - Aired on 08/03/2025.


Wiz Imp

(7,116 posts)
7. Very disappointed Beto would engage in this idiotic conspiracy mongering.
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 08:41 AM
Aug 4

Anyway, there's a really strong likelihood Trump will be dead within a year.

 

Hornedfrog2000

(866 posts)
13. Based on what???
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 10:07 AM
Aug 4

I work in acute healthcare. I see nothing that he is anywhere close to death.

Wiz Imp

(7,116 posts)
14. This is just the opinion of one person but you can find lots of others online
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 10:28 AM
Aug 4

And she lays out many physical and psychological symptoms. If you don't think that all this combines to show someone in extremely poor health, then I don't know what to say. Everybody I know who works in healthcare would strongly disagree with you.

https://thistleandmoss.com/p/donald-trump-is-going-to-die-soon

Oopsie Daisy

(6,670 posts)
10. In theory, maybe. A good scare-tactic to get people motivated. But in reality, he won't finish this term.
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 09:21 AM
Aug 4

There will not be a 3rd Trump term.

 

Hornedfrog2000

(866 posts)
11. How about we cut to the chase
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 10:03 AM
Aug 4

This douche bag is illigitimate. He needs drug out of the whitehouse and ran back to russia just like ukraine did to their russian installed dictator.

SpankMe

(3,597 posts)
15. "...Democrats should aim to redraw districts..."
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 10:52 AM
Aug 4

"He continued by saying Democrats should aim to redraw districts now and gain even more seats in states that already hold a lot of Democratic seats, like California, New Jersey and Illinois."

Blue states have been passing laws in the last decade or so to have non-partisan committees draw up "fair" districts to assure proportional representation in their congressional delegations. It's time to jettison that honorable practice and go nuclear.

Brainfodder

(7,781 posts)
17. DIck Trucy gonna last to 2029 Jan 21st and is there anywhere legally to bet on it??
Mon Aug 4, 2025, 11:12 AM
Aug 4

I can see a lot of credit card debt being won down!

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