Trump Mentions Third Term Again... Foreign Media Say Constitutional Amendment Obstacles Are High

"It's Not a Joke": Trump Hints at Third Term Bid
U.S. Constitution Explicitly Prohibits More Than Two Presidential Terms

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly hinted on the 30th (local time) at the possibility of challenging a constitutionally prohibited 'third presidential term,' saying, "This is not a joke." He has been suggesting a third presidential term challenge since 2018, during his first term.

Reuters Yonhap News

In a phone interview with NBC on the same day, President Trump said about a third-term challenge, "It's too early to think about it yet," but added, "Many people want me to do it." He hinted at the possibility of running for a third term by saying, "I like working." President Trump began his term after the inauguration on January 20, and his term lasts until 2029. However, he said, "We are still in the early stages of the administration, and there is a long way to go," adding, "Right now, I am focusing on the present."

President Trump has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of running for a third term. In January, at a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, he said, "It is an honor in my life to serve as president not once but twice," then added, "Or three or four times." In 2018, during his first term, he also remarked on China’s removal of term limits for the national president, saying, "Someday, we might need to try that too."

The New York Times (NYT) evaluated, "He often treated it (the third-term challenge) as a humorous anecdote," and "The NBC interview is the first indication that President Trump is seriously considering the idea."

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." This provision was introduced to prevent a repeat of Franklin Roosevelt’s four-term presidency.

When asked if there is an actual plan for a third-term challenge, he hinted at constitutional circumvention by saying, "There are possible ways." When asked about a scenario of handing over the presidential role to Vice President J.D. Vance, he said, "That is one way," but added, "There are other ways too." He refused to provide specific answers about the other methods.

To support President Trump’s third-term challenge, Republican Representative Andy Ogles introduced a resolution in January to extend presidential term limits. The amendment aims to allow a third term only for presidents who have completed their first term but did not seek re-election. It is widely interpreted as being intended for President Trump. His close aides have started a public opinion campaign. Steve Bannon, who served as White House chief strategist during Trump’s first term, recently claimed in an interview, "Trump will run again in 2028 and win."

However, amending the constitution for President Trump’s third-term attempt does not seem easy. To amend the constitution ratified in 1951, more than two-thirds of both the House and Senate must approve, and more than three-quarters of the 50 U.S. states must ratify it. Yet, even within the Republican Party, which is President Trump’s political base, there are opposing views. Markwayne Mullin, a pro-Trump senator, stated he would not support an unconstitutional third term under President Trump.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) pointed out, "The obstacles to constitutional amendment are high," noting, "Republican-controlled states account for less than 60% of the 50 states," and "Both the process of initiating and obtaining consent in the federal Congress is difficult with the current composition." The British Guardian also said, "Trump’s conspirators do not have the numbers needed to gain democratic approval."