What constitutional amendments do Dems need to push through starting in 2029? [View all]

[LonePirate]

These two terms with Trump as President have exposed some weak spots in our Constitution. We need to start planning on pushing through new amendments beginning in 2029 once Trump is out of the picture (assuming the country lasts until then). Absolutely nothing will happen so long as he is in office as he will bully Repubs in Congress into voting down any restraints on him, even if we retake the House and Senate later this year. That being said, we will still need considerable Repub support in order to clear the 2/3 vote hurdle in each house. I think it's possible with a Dem trifecta in 2029 as Repubs will be more likely to pass amendments that limit a Dem president.

Here's what I think we need that actually has a chance of passing of Congress and moving to the states where the results are a mystery. Some items such as a repeal/overhaul of the Citizens United ruling are not going to happen and Repub (and some Dem) support for it is too entrenched. A new SCOTUS will be needed to throw out that ruling. Likewise, an amendment that expands the size of SCOTUS is also a non-starter due to the vote thresholds, even though it could happen via normal legislation.

1. An amendment to repeal/curtail presidential immunity as decreed by SCOTUS in the Trump v. United States case. Dems need to frame this as limiting power and lawlessness from a Dem president while strengthening the legislative branch again. With Trump no longer in the picture in 2029, this could happen.

2. An amendment to expand, prevent and outlaw the grifting and corruption that is rampant by Trump and the countless unelected officials in his administration. He is robbing the government, US citizens and the rest of the world and almost no one is saying a word in defiance. This should be an easier lift than #1 so long as it is framed as a law and order amendment.

3. An amendment to strengthen the core First Amendment rights of Freedom of the Press, Speech and Assembly. Trump is downright ignoring the First Amendment and all of us need additional protections of these rights along with government restrictions on limiting them.

4. Dual and linked amendments that need to pass as all or nothing which creates a national citizenship/voter ID card (similar to the passport cards that exist now) for one amendment and the elimination of partisan and racial gerrymandering in another. I think most of us believe (at least I do) that the Republican demands for voter ID are bullshit and are only used to rile the base. However, the Repub base has clamped on to the issue and won't let go of it. The issue is a minor one for Dems with the issues mostly around obtaining free cards for people. However, the value of the cards comes via the immigration front that could cut out some citizen harassment that occurs now. Dems should support this ID in exchange for the outlawing of partisan and racial gerrymandering. Elected Repubs are not going to sign on to this easily, at least not until Texas resumes its eventual leftward conversion. Once Repubs are locked out of complete power in redrawing Texas maps (even if it is due to a single Texas state house flipping), they will be more open to these bans, let alone their begging for it if Dems ever claim a Texas trifecta. The horse trading for these two amendments needs to happen to guarantee passage of both.

5. An amendment that prevents the President from withholding appropriations passed by Congress and enacted into law. No more of these bullshit DOGE cuts and Trump extortion schemes by withholding funds. This can be passed with Congress reasserting its authority (and maybe a Dem President who threatens red state funding).

Yes, immigration laws need a massive overhaul; but that can be done with federal legislation once Trump is no longer in office.

Age limits for federal officeholders in the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches might seem like catnip and the subject of an amendment; but I don't think it would pass Congress. Furthermore, medical advances in 50-100 years may make 80 and 90 year olds of the future similar to 60 year olds today.

I also think we need to make the Department of Justice a completely independent federal agency, perhaps like the Federal Reserve; but that can be done with normal legislation.

What other amendments do we need to clean up the Trump mess and prevent future ones?