Breaking: Chaos as Trump Suggests Running for Third term and Judges Refuse to Say No

Summary

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The Parnas Perspective | Episode Summary

Episode Title: Breaking: Chaos as Trump Suggests Running for Third Term and Judges Refuse to Say No
Host: Aaron Parnas
Date: May 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This urgent episode of The Parnas Perspective covers a dramatic day in American politics and law: a major staffing crisis at the U.S. Justice Department, a wave of judicial nominees refusing to clarify basic constitutional principles about presidential term limits and the 2020 election, and new allegations of dishonesty from the Secretary of Defense. Host Aaron Parnas contextualizes these developments as symptomatic of a dangerous erosion of democratic norms and institutional integrity, particularly as Donald Trump openly entertains serving a third term.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. Justice Department Staffing Crisis

[00:57–03:49]

• Mass Exodus of Attorneys:
  • Aaron highlights “thousands of federal attorneys” resigning from the DOJ, creating “massive gaps and massive understaffing” (01:01).
  • Over 3,400 attorneys have left since Jan 2025, about a quarter of the DOJ’s legal workforce.
  • Quote:

    "That's about a quarter of lawyers inside the department. It's a very serious issue and it's affecting the ability of the department to do its work."
    — Stacey Young, former DOJ Executive Director (02:31)

• Implications:
  • The resignations are quiet, but the impact is real: weakened capacity to prosecute complex criminal cases, including organized crime and terrorism.
  • Hiring new talent to fill the gap has proven challenging.

2. Judicial Nominees Dodge on Two Vital Constitutional Questions

[03:49–07:47]

a) Trump’s Eligibility for a Third Term

• In Senate hearings, Trump-appointed judicial nominees refuse to affirm the plain reading of the 22nd Amendment.
• Highlight Exchange:
  • Senator: "Mr. Mark, is President Trump eligible to run for president again in 2028?" (04:33)
  • Mr. Mark: "Without considering all the facts... strikes me as more of a hypothetical." (04:42)
  • Senator: "It's not a hypothetical. Has President Trump been elected president twice?" (04:46)
  • Mr. Mark: "President Trump has been certified the President of the United States two times." (04:49)
  • Senator: "Is he eligible to run for a third term under our Constitution?" (04:54)
  • Mr. Mark: "I would have to review the..." (04:56)
  • Senator: "All I need to tell you is the language of the constitutional amendment that makes it clear that no, he is not eligible..." (04:57)
• Host’s Framing:

  “It would be serious on its face, but it's even more serious given the fact this is what the President said today...” (05:12)

• Trump’s Remark:
  • Trump (publicly): “When I get out of office in, let's say, eight or nine years from now, I'll be able to use it.” (05:19)
  • Aaron: “Eight or nine years. Openly joking about serving two additional terms.” (05:34)

b) Refusal to State Biden Won 2020 Election

• Nominees dodge direct yes/no answers on whether Biden fairly won 2020.
• Key Exchange:
  • Senator Coons: "He won the election. Is that your response?" (05:54)
  • Senator: "I think my response is he was certified as the winner by counting the election." (05:57)
  • Coons: “So you’re unwilling to say he won the election. How about you?” (06:00)
  • Mr. Mark: “I have this same answer as my colleague, Senator.” (06:03)
• Senator Coons’ Rebuke:

  "I am amazed and really appalled that nominees for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench are unwilling to respond on an issue of fact. ... you are supposed to be independent and arrive at the truth based on the evidence before you. ... you're unwilling to use that word because you are afraid. You are afraid.” (06:43–07:47)

3. Secretary of Defense Accused of Lying to Congress

[07:47–08:18]

• Allegation:
  • Pete Hexseth, Trump’s Secretary of Defense, told Congress that “Joe Biden troops were deployed to polling locations in 15 states” during the 2024 election.
  • Aaron Parnas corrects the record:

    “States said their National Guard personnel worked behind the scenes... helping with election cybersecurity or serving as internal liaisons... they were never at a polling station as part of an election.” (08:12)

• Significance:
  • Aaron notes this is a serious breach, but the likelihood of accountability “in this administration” is “likely no.”
• Quote:

  "Pete Hexseth, the Secretary of Defense, openly lied to Congress in front of the United States House and in front of the United States Senate." (08:15)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Stacey Young (on DOJ resignations):
  “Unless there is a course correction, it's going to get much worse.” (02:44)
• Senator (on third term):
  “All I need to tell you is the language of the constitutional amendment that makes it clear that no, he is not eligible to run for a third term.” (04:57)
• Trump (implying third term):
  "When I get out of office in, let's say, eight or nine years from now, I'll be able to use it." (05:19)
• Senator Coons (on judicial independence):
  "You are supposed to be independent and to arrive at the truth based on the evidence.... but you're unwilling to use that word because you are afraid." (06:43–07:47)
• Aaron Parnas (on DoD lie):
  “Highlighting it is still important nonetheless.” (08:17)

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:57 | DOJ mass resignations breakdown | | 03:49 | Senate hearing with Trump judicial nominees begins | | 05:12 | Trump jokes about serving eight or nine more years | | 05:46 | Judicial nominees refuse to acknowledge Biden’s victory | | 07:47 | Sen. Coons’ condemnation of nominee evasiveness | | 07:55 | DoD Secretary Hexseth grilled on troop deployment claims | | 08:10 | Aaron Parnas fact-checks DoD claim | | 08:15 | Aaron on likelihood of accountability for DoD falsehoods |

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Tone & Style

Aaron’s delivery is urgent, direct, and unflinching, focused on alarming signs of “democratic backsliding.” He balances reporting with pointed critique and clear moral framing—especially regarding the judiciary’s duty to uphold plain facts.

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Summary

This episode of The Parnas Perspective offers a sobering analysis of U.S. governmental dysfunction and democratic peril: a gutted Justice Department, a judiciary unwilling to affirm fundamental constitutional truths, and irresponsible conduct at the highest levels of defense. Aaron Parnas frames these as interconnected threats, calling for renewed public vigilance and engagement.

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Recommended for: Listeners wanting a sharp, inside perspective on real-time U.S. constitutional crises and the unraveling of established democratic guardrails.
Key Sections to Listen:

• DOJ Staffing Crisis ([00:57–03:49])
• Senate Hearings on Judicial Nominees ([03:49–07:47])
• Defense Department Fact-Check ([07:47–08:18])

Transcript

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See full [e-mail] we have major developments this evening that you need to be aware about. From the Justice Department to the Pentagon, in the Justice Department, thousands of federal attorneys have resigned, leaving massive gaps and massive understaffing at the Justice Department, giving a win to those indicted for criminal acts. At the same time tonight, Trump judicial nominees are not only refusing to say whether or not Joe Biden won the 2020 election, but are also now refusing to say whether Donald Trump is eligible for a third term in office. And it comes as Trump is publicly joking again about serving another eight, nine years in the Defense Department. Secretary of Defense Pete Hexseth has been caught lying under oath to Congress this afternoon. Major developments right now, like Comment, Share, subscribe, get the word out, and if you can subscribe to my subset, click the link below to support my work. I do want to note, a lot of you have asked and a lot of you have seen online that AI is ramping up its efforts to sponsor posts and work with journalists and creators. I refuse. I'm not going to compromise my values for a lucrative deal, even if it is lucrative. I rely on you and it means the world to me that you subscribe to my substack. If you can link below. This afternoon we're learning that a staffing crisis is unfolding inside the Justice Department, which has long relied on its army of attorneys and agents to combat organized crime, terrorists and more. According to Scott McFarlane, a mass exodus of thousands is unfolding inside agency offices and operations, but it's happening quietly and largely behind closed doors. As you know, right now, 3,000 plus employees have left the agency since last January. Total of 3400 have left. Justice Connection Executive Director Stacey Young, who resigned in January 2025 after an 18 year career inside the agenc, told the Midas Touch Network, quote, that's about a quarter of lawyers inside the department. It's a very serious issue and it's affecting the ability of the department to do its work. Young said unless there is a course correction, it's going to get much worse. There's a lot of challenges in the Justice Department finding new applicants as well. In a newly published report, Justice Connection emphasized that it's, quote, not normal. The report said that the DOJ had 12,955 employees as of December 31, 2024. Approximately 3,402 attorneys left their role between January 2025 and January 2026. And many of these Justice Department officials are senior officials who have handled very complex criminal cases. And it comes as Trump's new nominees to be federal judges and receive lifetime tenure are under fire 5 alarm fire in the United States Senate right now because they refuse to say whether or not Donald Trump can run for a third term in office.

[Senator]

Mr. Mark, if I might just tell me about the 22nd Amendment. What does it provide

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

the 22nd Amendment? Senator, my career has mostly been in criminal prosecution. I haven't had an opportunity to to use that one specifically.

[Senator]

Anyone able to help on the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution? Senator, I believe it is the amendment that deals with a two term limitation on service of the correct states. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Mr. Mark, is President Trump eligible to run for president again in 2028?

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

Senator, without considering all the facts and looking at everything depending on what the situation is, this to me strikes is more of a hypothetical of something that could.

[Senator]

It's not a hypothetical. Has President Trump been elected president twice?

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

President Trump has been certified the President of the United States two times.

[Senator]

Is he eligible to run for a third term under our Constitution?

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

I would have to review the All

[Senator]

I need to tell you is the language of the constitutional amendment that makes it clear that no, he is not eligible to run for a third term. Anybody else brave enough to say that the Constitution of the United States prevents President Trump from seeking a third term? Anybody willing to apply?

[Podcast Host]

Now, it would be serious on its face, but it's even more serious given the fact this is what the President said today, this way, when I get

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

out of office in, let's say, eight or nine years from now, I'll be able to use it. I'll be able to use it myself.

[Podcast Host]

Eight or nine years. Openly joking about serving two additional terms. But that's not all. Judges appointed by Trump also refused to comment on whether Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

[Senator Coons]

The 2020 election?

[Senator]

I'd say that that President Biden was certified the winner of the 2020 election.

[Senator Coons]

He won the election. Is that your response, Senator?

[Senator]

I think my response is he was certified as the winner by counting the election.

[Senator Coons]

So you're unwilling to say he won the election. How about you?

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

M. I have this same answer as my colleague, Senator.

[Senator Coons]

Same answer as the previous one, the

[Senator]

previous nominee, the Senate, did.

[Senator Coons]

Mr. Coons, how about you?

[Podcast Host]

Thank you, Senator. And I have the Same answer as Mr.

[Senator Coons]

Same answer. Unwilling to say that Joe Biden won the election.

[Podcast Host]

Correct. As Mr. Hendershot said, it has become a matter of political concern. And Joe Biden.

[Senator Coons]

Well, it's a matter of political concern, but it's also an issue of fact, is it not?

[Podcast Host]

Joe Biden was, in fact, certified the winner of the 2020 election.

[Senator Coons]

Mr. Mark, same answer.

[Judicial Nominee Mr. Mark]

Senator,

[Senator Coons]

I am amazed and really appalled that nominees for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench are unwilling to respond on an issue of fact. And I'm not going to try to get an answer out of you, because clearly you've been rehearsed to provide a stock answer, which I think really reflects not only on your honesty, but really on your fitness to be a federal judge, because you are supposed to be independent and to arrive at the truth based on the evidence before you. And I think it's pretty irrefutable that Joe Biden won the election, but you're unwilling to use that word because you are afraid. You are afraid.

[Podcast Host]

Pretty stunning. But it comes as Secretary of Defense Pete Hexseth has been caught potentially lying to Congress. Here's what he said in front of Congress.

[Senator]

Constitution Note that in 2024, troops were Joe Biden. Joe Biden were deployed to polling locations in 15 states. 2024 Joe Biden troops deployed to polling locations in 15 states. Explain that one to me.

[Podcast Host]

I am asking you a question now.

[Senator]

You seem to really.

[Podcast Host]

Well, that's not true. States said their National Guard personnel worked behind the scenes at other locations, not at polling sites, helping with election cybersecurity or serving as internal liaisons, or that their State Guard was not actually activated for the election after all. In Iowa, for example, they were helping in a cybersecurity capacity with an election, but they never left the state Emergency Operations System, says Hunter. Quote, they were in a basement. We have never gone to a polling station as part of an election. Pete Hexet, the Secretary of Defense, openly lied to Congress in front of the United States House and in front of the United States Senate. Now the question remains, will he face any criminal charges or accountability? And in this administration, the answer is likely no. But highlighting it is still important nonetheless. Like Comment Share subscribe subscribe to my substack link below to support I'll see you soon. Hey folks, thanks so much for watching. Feel free to add this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you watch for the latest breaking news and daily hits throughout the day. Make sure to follow. Subscribe See you soon for more Craving

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