Donald Trump has reignited debate over presidential term limits after suggesting he could seek a third term in office—a move that would violate the U.S. Constitution unless formally amended.
As reported by Digi24, Senate Republican Leader John Thune dismissed the remarks, suggesting Trump is “just having fun with the press.” However, Trump himself said during a recent NBC News interview that “there are ways” to secure a third term and insisted, “I’m not joking”—without elaborating further.
Constitutional Limits and Legislative Reality
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly states that no person may be elected president more than twice. Ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, the rule has long been seen as untouchable—particularly given the political divide in Congress.
Still, some of Trump’s allies are testing the waters. Republican Representative Andy Ogles has introduced a proposal to revise the 22nd Amendment, allowing three non-consecutive presidential terms. If passed, this would enable Trump—elected in 2016 and again in 2024—to run once more in 2028.
Yet amending the Constitution is a heavy lift: two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures must ratify any change. With razor-thin Republican control in the House and Senate, and only 28 GOP-controlled state legislatures, the path is legally improbable.
Vice Presidency Workaround? Not Likely
Trump has also floated the idea of running as vice president in 2028 under current VP J.D. Vance, who could then step aside after election. But the Constitution appears to block this route as well. The 12th Amendment states that no person ineligible to serve as president can be elected vice president.
While most legal scholars agree that Trump cannot serve beyond two terms, his comments—serious or not—are fueling anxiety and speculation in an already polarized political climate. Whether playful deflection or strategic trial balloon, the notion of a Trump third term is no longer just fringe chatter.
