# What constitutional reforms would you like to see post-Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [July 5, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444 "2026-07-05T22:07:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/121 "2026-07-18T19:05:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@SunUp](#): > > > > Cronies - anyone who has accepted money for services from the president, a company he controls, or his administration. > > So, no members of the Military? Or any government contractors? Or Civil servants? Correct. If they are in fact deserving of a pardon, they can wait until the next administration headed by some whose shilling they did not take. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/122 "2026-07-18T19:23:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Since that hasnt happened, no answer. But in any case, the checks on the power suggested here really mean that a president whose politics differ from congress cant pardon anyone. The first sentence is a refusal to discuss what would happen, because, well, you claim it hasn’t happened yet. The second one is speculating about what would happen, even though it hasn’t happened yet. I don’t get how you can pair the first sentence with the second. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/123 "2026-07-18T19:39:19Z")
> **[Roger B. Taney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_B._Taney)** > > Roger Brooke Taney (/ˈtɔːni/ TAW-nee; March 17, 1777 – October 12, 1864) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the fifth chief justice of the United States from 1836 until his death in 1864. Taney delivered the majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), ruling that African Americans could not be considered U.S. citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the U.S. territories. Prior to joining the U.S. Supreme Court, Taney served as the U.S. attorney general an... ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/124 "2026-07-18T21:40:48Z")
So … they can elect a 10 year old from Italy to be president? There is no reason to do away with all qualifications to run for office. I think disallowing a multiple felon would have saved us a lot of trouble. Not just trump either. If you’re a crook/rapist/thief you shouldn’t be in high office. Should he have been able to run from a prison cell too? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/125 "2026-07-18T22:55:36Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > So … they can elect a 10 year old from Italy to be president? There is no reason to do away with all qualifications to run for office. Read what I said. In no way do I propose doing away with all qualifications. I am fine with those already in place in the Constitution. It is that I see no reason to change them, add more. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/126 "2026-07-18T23:01:15Z")
Why? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/127 "2026-07-18T23:09:46Z")
Why not? In other words, I dont see any reason to make big changes for the Constitution. We do need a Voting Rights Amendment, but that’s about it- and even that is not really new law, just codifying stuff. Why do you want to change it? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/128 "2026-07-18T23:51:22Z")
Because a functioning constitution would not have allowed a fascist to take over our government. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/129 "2026-07-19T00:02:16Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > 45 Presidents, and one abused that Pardon system. Biden pardoning his son was an abuse. Clinton pardoning Mark Rich was an abuse. I am a little uncertain how to codify that, but the rule would be something like that you cannot pardon a campaign contributor, or first order relative of a campaign contributor. The tricky part is that Mark Rich was divorced from the contributor when the contributions were made, even though she still felt loyalty to her ex. It is an abuse when the President pardons, or commutes the sentence of, an administration official, especially if of their own party. Examples of this that AI provided me include Ford and Nixon, Reagan and W. Mark Felt, Bush the Elder and Caspar Weinberger, and Bush the Younger and Scooter Libby. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/130 "2026-07-19T00:40:48Z")
I still think the best way to address pardon power instead of writing up lists of who can and can’t be pardoned is to follow Georgia’s model and take it out of the president’s hands altogether. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/131 "2026-07-19T01:07:07Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I still think the best way to address pardon power instead of writing up lists of who can and can’t be pardoned is to follow Georgia’s model and take it out of the president’s hands Agreed, the Constitution should not look like the Code of Federal Regulations going into case by case specifics. If you don’t trust a man to exert a power properly, maybe don’t give it to him. Though perhaps keep the unilateral clemency for commuting capital sentences. And ISTM that depending on how you organize the body in charge of it, that may have to be paired with constitutional affirmation that you CAN create by law posts the POTUS can’t dismiss save for a specified cause that has been _proven_, not just his dissatisfaction. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/132 "2026-07-19T01:35:18Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > And ISTM that depending on how you organize the body in charge of it, that may have to be paired with constitutional affirmation that you CAN create by law posts the POTUS can’t dismiss save for a specified cause that has been _proven_, not just his dissatisfaction. I’d like a rule that any person who has to be confirmed by the Senate can only be fired with the consent of the Senate. Maybe set that at a 60-vote margin so that a friendly majority isn’t just acting on the president’s orders. The president should be subordinate to Congress, not the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/133 "2026-07-19T01:52:17Z")
And I would _ **not** _ take it there unless you are going to go full parliamentary (in which case you need to nerf the Senate and make the House more representative). If it’s 3 equals it’s 3 equals. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/134 "2026-07-19T02:09:59Z")
I have a simple fix- the president can only pardon people who have actually been found guilty of something. No preemptive pardons. Another thing I’d like to see is requiring the two most senior Supreme Court justices to retire at the beginning of each presidential term. This not only would get rid of the old coots but also ensure that we don’t get presidents (like Carter) deprived of naming any justices. Forcing retirements on schedule might also reduce somewhat (how’s that for weasel words?) the chances of presidents naming four or more justices in a single term. Of course, all this is academic. There is zero chance of any amendments passing in my lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/135 "2026-07-20T00:48:20Z")
If a senator dies, resigns or is removed from office, there must be an election for his replacement. Nobody should have the authority to appoint someone to the role. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/136 "2026-07-20T03:50:23Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Nobody should have the authority to appoint someone to the role. I dont mind if the remaining term is less than six months. I mean, a special election (which are very costly, in CA $250Million) for one month remaining of a term? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/137 "2026-07-20T06:33:00Z")
If it’s too short a period, then let it sit vacant until the next election. Nobody should be Senator by appointment. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/138 "2026-07-20T06:48:12Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Nobody should be Senator by appointment. I can envision some scenarios where a large number of seats become vacant all at once and it would be impractical to wait for an election to reconstitute the Senate. (Like, say, if the fourth plane on 9/11 had reached its intended target.) Perhaps a senatorial order of succession could be established. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/139 "2026-07-21T03:44:05Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > **Only** plague or **war could bring radical reform, and I doubt those changes would be pretty.** As Darth Cheney said, “_You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs._” ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444/140 "2026-07-21T13:37:55Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Perhaps a senatorial order of succession could be established. This is something I’ve wondered about, as well: Why couldn’t there be vice-senators or equivalent? Perhaps even vice-representatives. Then the “out for months for no reason” stuff wouldn’t be as much of an issue. Am I crazy, or were long _ **unexplained** _ absences by US senators and representatives just not much of a thing pre-Trump? I feel like (with no stats or information) that it practically never happened – no more than two or three times – since, I don’t know, the 1960s? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444.md?page=8)