President Donald Trump has indicated a serious interest in pursuing a third term in office, asserting that his previous remarks on the subject were not made in jest. In a recent phone interview with NBC News, Trump emphasized, “I’m not joking” about the possibility of serving beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms. He further claimed to have the “highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years” and suggested that “there are methods” to facilitate a third term.
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly limits presidents to two elected terms. Section 1 of the amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Despite this clear restriction, Trump and some of his allies are exploring potential avenues to circumvent these limitations.
One such method involves Vice President JD Vance running for president with Trump as his vice president. Under this scenario, Vance would resign after the election, allowing Trump to ascend to the presidency. This strategy, however, faces significant constitutional challenges. The 12th Amendment specifies that “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.” Legal experts argue that this clause would prevent a two-term president from serving as vice president.
In January 2025, Representative Andy Ogles introduced a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution that would permit a president to serve a third term, provided the first two terms were non-consecutive. This proposal appears tailored to benefit Trump specifically. For such an amendment to be adopted, it would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the state legislatures—a formidable legislative hurdle.
Public opinion on Trump’s performance remains divided. A recent CBS/YouGov poll indicates that 50% of voters approve of his job performance, while the other half disapprove. The same poll reveals that over half of Americans are dissatisfied with his handling of inflation and the economy, whereas 53% approve of his approach to immigration. These mixed reactions underscore the contentious nature of his potential bid for a third term.
Critics argue that any attempt to seek a third term poses a threat to democratic norms and could lead to a constitutional crisis. Legal scholars emphasize that the 22nd Amendment was designed to prevent the consolidation of power and ensure a regular transfer of leadership. Overturning or bypassing this amendment would not only require substantial legal maneuvering but could also set a precedent with far-reaching implications for the balance of power in the United States.
As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how these discussions will impact the political landscape and whether the constitutional barriers to a third term can be surmounted.
Sources:
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-third-term-nbc-interview/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxxii
- https://www.npr.org/2025/03/30/g-s1-57231/trump-third-term
- https://ogles.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ogles-proposes-amending-22nd-amendment-allow-trump-serve-third-term
- https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-joking-3rd-term-constitution-bars-scholars/story?id=120330633
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/30/trump-third-term-president
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxmgm1tbHKE
