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Politics
Trump Teases 2028 Third Term: But Could He Actually Do It?
By
Jake Beardslee
· November 19, 2024
Recent discussions about presidential term limits have intensified following former President Donald Trump's comments about serving beyond two terms, despite constitutional restrictions.
Allison Robbert/Pool via Imagn Images
During a recent meeting with GOP House colleagues, Trump
remarked
, "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.'"
United States House of Representatives / Wikimedia
While Republican representatives, including Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, characterized these comments as humorous,
telling
The Hill
, "That was a joke. It was clearly a joke," the statements have sparked broader constitutional discourse.
Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms, explicitly limits presidents to two terms in office.
Leon Perskie / Wikimedia
The amendment was designed to prevent extended presidential tenures like FDR's, who served from 1932 until his death in 1945.
PD-US / Wikimedia
In U.S. presidential history, Grover Cleveland stands alone as the only commander-in-chief to serve two non-consecutive terms, winning the presidency in 1884 and returning to office in 1892 after a four-year hiatus.
Frederick Gutekunst / Wikimedia
Trump has made several public statements regarding term limits. At a National Rifle Association convention, he referenced FDR's presidency,
questioning
, "You know, FDR 16 years — almost 16 years — he was four terms. I don't know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?"
Luke Johnson / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
However, when directly questioned about serving a third term, Trump told
TIME
in April, "I wouldn't be in favor of it. I wouldn't be in favor of a challenge [to the 22nd Amendment]. Not for me."
The White House / Wikimedia
In response to these discussions, Democratic Representative Dan Goldman of New York has
introduced a resolution
to clarify that the 22nd Amendment applies to aggregate terms, even if non-consecutive.
US House / Wikimedia
"We are a nation of laws, not kings," Goldman
posted on X
, previously known as Twitter. "The 22nd Amendment is clear that no person can be elected President more than twice. Any attempt by Donald Trump to do so is blatantly unconstitutional, and I call on my colleagues – D or R – to stand by their oath to defend the Constitution."
Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
The resolution faces uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled House.
Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash
Any modification to the 22nd Amendment would require significant bipartisan support, needing a two-thirds majority in both congressional chambers and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.
Architect of the Capitol / Wikimedia
The only constitutional amendment ever to be repealed is the 18th Amendment, which had ushered in the era of Prohibition.
Currier and Ives / Wikimedia