A Crisis of Norms: The Real Threat is the Conversation Itself, Newsom Argues

While the prospect of a third presidential term is alarming, Gavin Newsom is arguing that the real crisis is already here: the mere fact that such a possibility is being seriously discussed by a major political figure. The normalization of the idea is, in itself, a profound threat to democracy.
Newsom’s urgent plea to “wake up” is not just about a future election; it’s about the present erosion of norms. By revealing Trump’s alleged Oval Office comments and pointing to “Trump 2028” hats, he is highlighting how an unconstitutional idea is seeping into the political mainstream.
His argument is that once a norm is broken, it’s incredibly difficult to repair. The 22nd Amendment has been an unbreakable rule for over 70 years. The moment a former president begins to treat it as a negotiable guideline, the norm is already damaged.
Therefore, Newsom’s revelation is an attempt to stop this normalization process in its tracks. He is trying to create a massive political backlash that will re-establish the two-term limit as a sacred, untouchable principle of American government, before the conversation can gain any more legitimacy.