Can Donald Trump Run For 3rd Term? Here’s What US Constitution Says

Last Updated:November 14, 2024, 00:05 IST

Speaking to House Republicans, Donald Trump jokingly hinted towards a third term as US president raising eyebrows

Donald Trump suggested that he could be open to a constitution-breaking third term in office. (Getty Images)

With Donald Trump set to serve as the President of the United States again, the President-elect on Wednesday suggested that he could be open to a constitution-breaking third term in office. However, the question is: could Trump legally seek a third presidential term?

Raising eyebrows over his ability to continue in office after his second term expires in four years, Trump while speaking to House of Republicans said, “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you (supporters) say otherwise."

However, his statement soon raised questions about whether it is legally possible for him to contest for a third term. Notably, even if Trump has joked about pursuing a third term, he is barred from doing so by the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, which restricts Presidents to two elected terms.

Can Trump Run For 3rd Term In 2028?

For Donald Trump to contest for a third term, he’d have to repeal the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution. In order for Trump to annul the amendment, he would require the support of two-thirds of both the House — 290 members — and the Senate — 67 members. Once they did so, three-fourths of all states — 38 –would also have to agree.

It is believed that it won’t be easier for Trump to roll back the 22nd Amendment given the opposition by Democratic legislators. In addition to this, there would likely be some Republican outcry as well.

What Is the 22nd Amendment That Restricts Trump?

The 22nd Amendment in the Constitution of the United States simply states that a person twice elected as President cannot run in an election for a third term.

“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice," the amendment states. “And no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once."

President George Washington set a precedent for holding only two terms in office, however, President Franklin D Roosevelt went against the unwritten precedent and became the first and only commander-in-chief to get elected to four terms in office.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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