Can Donald Trump Be Elected as U.S. President for a Third Time?

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that his remarks about intending to participate in the election for a third term were not a joke. However, he did not explain how he would bypass the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on holding the presidency for more than two terms.

So, can Donald Trump be elected for a third term? If not, what legal obstacles prevent him? Reuters conducted an interesting analysis on this matter.

What Does the U.S. Constitution Say?

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

This amendment was ratified in 1951 after President Franklin Roosevelt broke the unofficial two-term tradition that had been in place since the time of the first U.S. President, George Washington.

Roosevelt, who served during the Great Depression and World War II, remained in office for three full terms and passed away in 1945, just months after beginning his fourth term.

According to Quinnipiac University law professor Wayne Anger, the Constitution clearly limits the presidential term to two four-year terms. He states that, although such a case has never occurred in history, Trump’s attempt to challenge this clause in court is highly likely to fail.

"I think the Supreme Court will tell him ‘no’—everything is clear: he can hold the office of President twice for four years each. Donald Trump, you cannot participate in the election for a third time," said Anger.

Can Trump’s Supporters Change the Constitution?

Yes, but the probability of this happening is extremely low in the current era of political polarization.

Any constitutional amendment requires either a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the U.S. Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate—or the convening of a National Convention by the demand of at least two-thirds of the states. The amendment must then be ratified by at least 38 out of 50 states.

Currently, Republicans hold a slight majority in the House of Representatives (218 seats versus 213), 53 votes in the Senate, and control over 28 state legislatures.

Tennessee Congressman and staunch Trump supporter Andy Ogles proposed in January to reconsider the 22nd Amendment. He suggested allowing a president to serve three terms, but not consecutively, rather with intervals.

If this amendment were to be accepted, since Trump’s presidential terms in 2017 and 2025 would not be consecutive, he would have the opportunity to take office for a third term starting in 2029.

Can Trump Run as Vice President?

In an interview with NBC, Trump hinted that if J.D. Vance were nominated as the presidential candidate in the next election, he might consider running for vice president.

If Vance were to win the election and later resign from the presidency, Trump would have the opportunity to return to the White House.

However, Trump cannot run for vice president either, as he is no longer eligible to become president again. The 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: “No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.” Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”