Can Trump serve a third term?

Donald Trump says he is “not joking” about seeking a third term as U.S. president, while some of his supporters speculate on possible ways to bypass the Constitution’s two-term limit

CONSTITUTION CHANGE
Constitution’s 22nd Amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice”

U.S. CONSTITUTION

Any amendment would require two-thirds support in House and Senate and then ratification by 38 of 50 state legislatures

Republicans hold a razor-thin 218-213 majority in House and 53-47 majority in Senate. Republicans control 28 states

POSSIBLE “SUCCESSION”

Supporters say one possibility could be for Trump to be vice-presidential running-mate to another candidate – perhaps his own vice-president, JD Vance – in 2028

Vance would then resign as president if he wins, letting Trump take over by succession

But 12th Amendment says “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States”

ROOSEVELT – ONLY PRESIDENT TO SERVE MORE THAN TWO TERMS

Prior to Franklin Delano Roosevelt (left), no president had served more than two terms – tradition started by George Washington (right) and respected for more than 150 years

Roosevelt was elected four times, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. In response, legislators codified tradition into law with 22nd Amendment in 1951

Sources: AP, Reuters, BBC
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images
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