Could Trump Run for a Third Term? Here’s What You Need to Know

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, Recent remarks from President Donald Trump and his allies have reignited discussions about the possibility of a third term, despite the constitutional ban on any president serving more than two terms.

While Trump has suggested he wouldn’t run again unless “people figure it out,” Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow Trump to seek another term—but not his two-term predecessors.

Is There a Precedent for a Third Term?

Historically, most U.S. presidents followed George Washington’s precedent of serving only two terms. The only exception was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won four terms during the Great Depression and World War II.

After Republicans gained control of Congress in 1946, they pushed for a constitutional limit, leading to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951. This amendment states:

“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

It also allows a maximum of 10 years in office if a vice president takes over mid-term and is elected twice.

Over the years, there have been calls to repeal the amendment, including during the Eisenhower, Reagan, and Clinton presidencies. However, none of these efforts gained traction.

Trump’s Push for a Third Term

While previous presidents have dismissed the idea of running for a third term, Trump has taken a more direct approach. He has publicly floated the possibility on multiple occasions, both before and after being sworn in for his second term.

During a House Republican meeting in November, Trump said:

“I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you do something. Unless you say, ‘He’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”

Some lawmakers dismissed his remarks as jokes, but Rep. Ogles had already introduced a resolution to amend the Constitution days earlier.

His proposed amendment would allow Trump to run for another term since his two terms were nonconsecutive but would prevent anyone from serving more than three terms overall or two consecutive terms.

“He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness,” Ogles said.

Could Trump Find a Legal Loophole?

While the 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibits a president from being elected for a third term, some legal scholars debate whether a loophole exists.

According to Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, the amendment only specifies that someone cannot be elected a third time—but it does not explicitly state that they cannot serve again under different circumstances.

This raises questions about whether Trump could:

• Be elected as vice president and ascend to the presidency if the sitting president leaves office.
• Be appointed to a lower position in the presidential line of succession (such as Speaker of the House) and assume office under certain conditions.

However, no president has ever tested these loopholes, and doing so would likely spark legal battles and political controversy.

Could the Constitution Be Amended?

Even if Trump’s allies push for a constitutional amendment, the process is incredibly difficult.

To amend the U.S. Constitution, a resolution must:

1. Pass with two-thirds support in both the House and Senate.
2. Be ratified by three-quarters of all state legislatures (38 states).

Given the highly polarized political climate, experts believe the chances of such an amendment passing are virtually zero.

Since the 27th Amendment was ratified in 1992, over 1,400 constitutional amendments have been proposed, but none have made it past Congress.

Final Thoughts: Should We Take This Seriously?

While Trump’s remarks may seem like political posturing, experts warn against dismissing them entirely.

“What happens is it takes it from the crazy off the wall to on the wall,” said Victoria Nourse, a law professor at Georgetown University.

Even if Trump never runs for a third term, talking about it normalizes the idea—which could influence future legal and political battles over presidential term limits.

Would you support a third term for Trump? Share your thoughts in the comments!

 

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