Donald Trump has occasionally hinted that he might want to stay in the White House longer than the usual two terms allowed for presidents. But can he actually do that? The answer is simple: No, the U.S. Constitution says presidents can only serve two terms, and Trump is no exception.
By the end of his second term, Trump would be 78 years old, making him the oldest president in U.S. history. So, why is this idea of a third term even coming up? Let’s break it down:
What’s Trump Saying About a Third Term?
Trump has made some comments that suggest he’s open to the idea of staying in office longer, but it’s not always clear if he’s serious or just joking. Recently, he spoke to House Republicans and joked that they might help him stay longer if they thought he was doing such a good job. He also made a statement at a religious gathering in July, telling voters that if they voted for him, they’d never have to vote again—because he would fix everything in just four more years.
Earlier in his first term, he even suggested that after four more years, maybe he’d deserve another term because of how badly he was treated.
But when asked about his future plans by the New York Times, Trump said he thought the 2024 campaign might be his last.
Why Can’t He Serve More Than Two Terms?
The reason Trump can’t stay in office forever goes back to the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution, which was passed in 1951. It clearly says that no one can be elected president more than twice. This was put in place after Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served four terms. People were worried that having a president in power for too long could be dangerous and lead to too much control in one person’s hands.
Kimberly Wehle, a constitutional law professor, says the 22nd Amendment is pretty straightforward and was designed to prevent any president from becoming too powerful, like a king.
Could Trump Change the Rules?
While Trump has a history of challenging the limits of the Constitution, amending it to let him serve a third term would be extremely difficult. To change the Constitution, two-thirds of both the House and the Senate would have to agree, and then three-fourths of all state legislatures would need to approve it. It’s a huge process, and with the current balance of power in Congress, it’s not something that’s likely to happen.
Is Trump Serious About Staying Longer?
Some people, like Representative Dan Goldman from New York, aren’t taking Trump’s comments lightly. He believes Trump often makes “jokes” about staying in office, but he’s serious about it. Goldman even introduced a resolution to make it clear that presidents who serve nonconsecutive terms are still limited to two terms.
Has Any President Served More Than Two Terms?
Yes, but only one. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms, from 1933 until his death in 1945. At the time, there was no 22nd Amendment, and Roosevelt’s long time in office led to the creation of the two-term limit, which is now part of the Constitution.
So, while Trump may keep joking about staying in office longer, the rules are clear: he can only serve two terms, and unless the Constitution changes (which is highly unlikely), that’s where things stand.
