President Donald Trump has once again ignited political debate by suggesting he is seriously considering ways to extend his presidency beyond a second term. In a Sunday interview with NBC News, Trump declared, “I’m not joking” about pursuing a third term, making his most explicit acknowledgment yet that he is exploring methods to bypass the two-term constitutional limit.
“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump stated, though he stopped short of elaborating. Pressed on specifics, he admitted, “It is far too early to think about it.”
Constitutional Barrier: The 22nd Amendment
The U.S. Constitution, through the 22nd Amendment ratified in 1951, explicitly limits presidents to two elected terms. The amendment was enacted following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, reinforcing the tradition of a two-term limit observed by nearly all U.S. presidents since George Washington.
NBC’s Kristen Welker asked whether Trump might attempt a workaround by having his vice president, JD Vance, run for president and subsequently step aside.
“Well, that’s one,” Trump responded. “But there are others too. There are others.”
When pressed for another example, he simply said, “No.”
Vice President Vance’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Derek Muller, a professor of election law at Notre Dame, noted that the 12th Amendment also plays a role in barring Trump from a vice presidential candidacy. “No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States,” the amendment states.
“I don’t think there’s any ‘one weird trick’ to getting around presidential term limits,” Muller added, pointing out that any attempt to serve a third term would likely face immense legal and political hurdles, requiring the cooperation of Congress, the courts, and the American electorate.
Political Posturing or Serious Ambition?
While Trump’s remarks raise significant constitutional questions, some experts believe his statements are more about political strategy than actual intent.
“A lame-duck president like Donald Trump has every incentive in the world to make it seem like he’s not a lame duck,” said political analyst Sarah Kendzior. “By floating the idea of a third term, he’s keeping himself at the center of the political conversation and reinforcing his grip on the Republican base.”
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Trump has a history of making similar comments in a more lighthearted manner. At a House Republican retreat earlier this year, he jokingly asked, “Am I allowed to run again?” But Sunday’s remarks appeared more serious, prompting renewed debate over whether he might actually seek to challenge the Constitution’s term limits.
Public and Political Reactions
Trump suggested that his popularity could make a third term acceptable to Americans. He falsely claimed to have “the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years.”
Historical data tells a different story. Gallup polls show that President George W. Bush reached a 90% approval rating following the September 11 attacks, while his father, George H.W. Bush, hit 89% after the Gulf War. Trump’s highest recorded approval rating in Gallup’s polling has been 47% during his second term, despite his assertion that he is “in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls.”
Reactions from political leaders were mixed. Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Legal and Historical Precedents
Legal scholars emphasize that any attempt by Trump to extend his presidency would require extraordinary measures. Some authoritarian leaders have successfully extended their terms through legal loopholes or constitutional changes, but such an effort in the United States would face strong institutional resistance.
“The 22nd Amendment was specifically designed to prevent this exact situation,” said Muller. “Changing it would require either an amendment to the Constitution, which is an incredibly difficult process, or an outright constitutional crisis.”
Although no serious legislative efforts have been made to repeal the 22nd Amendment, the topic has been sporadically discussed in political circles. Some Trump allies have floated the idea of repealing term limits, though such efforts have not gained traction.
Looking Ahead
As Trump continues to signal interest in a third term, the political ramifications are significant. His remarks may energize his base, but they could also intensify opposition from both Democrats and constitutional scholars who see his comments as a threat to democratic norms.
Whether Trump is laying the groundwork for an actual attempt at a third term or merely using the idea as a political tool remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that his comments will fuel discussions about the future of American democracy in the years to come.
