President Trump’s Interest in Serving a Third Term

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that “I’m not joking” about trying to serve a third term, the clearest indication he is considering ways to breach a constitutional barrier against continuing to lead the country after his second term ends in early 2029.

“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump said in a telephone interview with NBC News from Mar-a-Lago, his private club.

He also said “it is far too early to think about it.”

Understanding the 22nd Amendment

The 22nd Amendment, added to the Constitution in 1951 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times in a row, says “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

This amendment was introduced to prevent any president from serving more than two terms, ensuring that power is transferred and that no single individual can dominate the presidency for an extended period.

Possible Avenues for a Third Term

NBC’s Kristen Welker asked Trump if one potential avenue to a third term was having Vice President JD Vance run for the top job and “then pass the baton to you.”

“Well, that’s one,” Trump responded. “But there are others too. There are others.”

When asked to elaborate on other possible methods, Trump declined, saying “No.”

Legal Implications and Challenges

Derek Muller, a professor of election law at the University of Notre Dame, noted that the 12th Amendment, which was ratified in 1804, says “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”

Muller said that indicates that if Trump is not eligible to run for president again because of the 22nd Amendment, he is not eligible to run for vice president, either.

“I don’t think there’s any ‘one weird trick’ to getting around presidential term limits,” Muller said.

In addition, pursuing a third term would require extraordinary acquiescence by federal and state officials, not to mention the courts and voters themselves.

Trump’s Desire to Continue Serving

Trump, who would be 82 at the end of his second term, was asked whether he would want to keep serving in “the toughest job in the country” at that point.

“Well, I like working,” the president said.

Trump has mused before about serving longer than two terms before, generally with jokes to friendly audiences.

“Am I allowed to run again?” he said during a House Republican retreat in January.

Reactions from Congressional Leadership

Representatives for the congressional leadership — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York — did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the AP.

Conclusion

President Trump’s interest in serving a third term has sparked significant discussion and debate. While there are potential avenues for him to explore, the legal and constitutional barriers are substantial. The 22nd Amendment and the 12th Amendment pose significant challenges to any attempt to circumvent term limits. Ultimately, the decision would require broad support from federal and state officials, the courts, and the American people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the 22nd Amendment?

A: The 22nd Amendment is a constitutional amendment that limits a president to two terms in office.

Q: Can President Trump run for a third term?

A: According to the 22nd Amendment, no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. However, President Trump has suggested that there may be ways to circumvent this limit.

Q: What are the possible avenues for a third term?

A: One possible avenue mentioned by President Trump is having Vice President JD Vance run for the top job and then passing the baton to him. However, the legal implications and challenges of such a move are significant.

Q: What do legal experts say about the possibility of a third term?

A: Legal experts, such as Derek Muller, say that there is no easy way to get around presidential term limits and that any attempt to do so would require broad support from federal and state officials, the courts, and the American people.