‘There are methods’: Why Donald Trump is ‘not joking’ about presidency till 2037? What forbids him?

Donald Trump’s second term has only just begun, but he and his allies have already started hinting at the possibility of a third. On Sunday, Donald Trump reiterated his suggestion that he might pursue a third presidential term, despite the US Constitution's two-term limit.

In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump stated, "I'm not joking," when asked to clarify his remark about seeking another term, adding, “There are methods which you could do it.”

The 78-year-old billionaire has frequently hinted at the possibility of serving more than two terms, but his comments on Sunday—followed by remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One—were the most specific regarding potential plans to make it happen.

Here's what the US Constitution say

The 22nd Amendment states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” a clear restriction enacted after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected four times, with his final term in 1944.

According to a report by Fortune, because the ban applies to being “elected” more than twice, Trump could run as a vice-presidential candidate, then assume the presidency if his running mate resigned. This would be a complex strategy, complicated further by the fact that Trump would be 82 at the time of the next election—making him older than Joe Biden was during his 2020 campaign.

If Trump were to secure a third term, he would become only the second US president in history to do so, following Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served four terms from 1933 to 1945. However, Roosevelt's unprecedented tenure led to the passage of the 22nd Amendment in 1951, which limits presidents to two elected terms.

Can the 22nd Amendment be changed?

Furthermore, changing or repealing the 22nd Amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate, along with ratification by three-quarters of the states. No amendment has been ratified since the 1990s, and that one was first proposed in the 1700s.

Also Read: ‘Give President Trump a third term’: Congressman proposes to amend US Constitution

The last amendment to be ratified before that was the 26th Amendment in the 1960s, during the Vietnam War era, which lowered the voting age to 18.

What did Trump supporters say?

Even among Trump supporters, there’s opposition to the idea of altering the Constitution to benefit him, highlighting the challenges of such a significant constitutional change.

According to a report by CNN, Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, dismissed Trump’s comments, saying he views them “as a joke, not being literal.” He added, “I’m not changing the Constitution, first of all, unless — unless the American people choose to do that.”

Also Read: Donald Trump to run for President again in 2028, says top aide

Several reports mentioned that even if Trump pursued this plan, state election officials and courts would likely intervene. They have historically disqualified candidates who fail to meet constitutional requirements, such as being a natural-born US citizen or at least 35 years old. It’s expected they’d do the same for anyone violating the presidential term limit.

A constitutional convention has never been successfully convened in the United States, with all 27 constitutional amendments passed through the congressional process.

In January, shortly after Trump assumed office, Republican Andy Ogles from Tennessee introduced a House joint resolution to amend the Constitution, aiming to allow presidents to serve up to three terms.

(With inputs from agencies)