President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of serving a third term in a recent interview, sparking controversy and raising concerns about potential breaches of the Constitution. Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, made the comments during a telephone interview with NBC News and later elaborated on the idea while speaking to reporters on Air Force One.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four consecutive terms, clearly states that no person can be elected to the office of President more than twice. Any attempt to circumvent this constitutional barrier would be legally questionable and is met with skepticism. However, Trump’s remarks reflect a desire to maintain power and have raised alarms among critics.
Some supporters, like former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, have called for the President to run for a third term in 2028. Others, like former paralegal Kayla Thompson, believe that Trump is essential for America’s progress and would support him serving another term. However, constitutional law experts like Jeremy Paul argue that there are no credible legal arguments for Trump to pursue a third term.
When asked about potential avenues for a third term, Trump hinted at various possibilities, including Vice President JD Vance running for the top job and passing the baton to him. However, legal experts point out that the 12th Amendment also restricts individuals ineligible for the presidency from serving as Vice President. Therefore, finding a loophole to bypass term limits would require extensive cooperation from federal and state officials, the courts, and voters.
Despite his age and the challenges of the presidency, Trump expressed interest in continuing to work, citing his popularity as a reason why Americans might support a third term. However, his claims of high poll numbers have been refuted by Gallup data, which shows other Republican presidents reaching higher approval ratings in the past.
This is not the first time Trump has joked about serving longer than two terms, but the seriousness of his recent comments has sparked concerns among lawmakers and legal experts. The potential implications of a third term for Trump remain uncertain, but the debate over constitutional limits and democratic norms continues to be a topic of discussion.
The original article was published on March 30, 2025, and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding Trump’s remarks about serving a third term.
