US President Donald Trump announced that he will visit Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia next month.
The announcement came while Trump was signing executive orders in the Oval Office. When asked whether the trip would take place in May, Trump replied:
“It could be next month, maybe a little bit later.”
Trump emphasized that he chose Saudi Arabia as his first foreign destination due to Riyadh’s pledge to invest nearly USD 1 trillion in US companies, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Trump Hints at Third Term, Sparks Controversy
In a separate development, Trump set off a political firestorm during a phone interview with NBC News, where he suggested the possibility of seeking a third term in office, despite constitutional limits.
“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump claimed, adding:
“I’m not joking… It is far too early to think about it.”
Legal Barriers and Backlash
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1951, explicitly states:
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
CBS News noted that this restriction was introduced after Franklin D. Roosevelt served four consecutive terms. Trump’s comments raised concerns about potential constitutional challenges if he pursued a third term.
Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat and lead counsel in Trump’s first impeachment, strongly criticized the remarks, calling them an:
“Escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy.”
Goldman urged Congressional Republicans to publicly oppose Trump’s third-term ambitions, stating:
“If Congressional Republicans believe in the Constitution, they will go on the record opposing Trump’s ambitions for a third term.”
Trump’s statements have reignited debates about his influence over US democracy, even as he prepares for key diplomatic engagements in the Middle East.