Trump Suggests ‘Methods’ to Circumvent Presidential Term Limits
President Donald Trump has suggested that there may be ways to bypass the constitutional restriction preventing U.S. presidents from serving a third term. In a recent interview, Trump claimed that while there are no formal plans, “there are methods” that could be used to extend his time in office.
During the interview, Trump was asked about the possibility of remaining in power beyond two terms. While he has previously joked about the idea, this time, he emphasized that he was “not joking.” When pressed for details, he declined to elaborate but acknowledged that multiple strategies exist.
One theory raised involved Trump running as the vice-presidential candidate for a future president, such as his current running mate, JD Vance. Under this scenario, the president could resign after taking office, allowing Trump to assume the role through succession. Legal scholars have dismissed this idea, citing the 12th Amendment, which states that no person constitutionally ineligible to be president can serve as vice president.
Despite this, Trump’s supporters have continued to explore potential avenues to bypass the 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency. While some Republican lawmakers have introduced measures to allow a president to serve three non-consecutive terms, such proposals face significant legislative hurdles.
Trump’s comments follow previous remarks where he referred to himself as a “king,” sparking concerns about his views on executive power. Earlier this year, after taking credit for the cancellation of New York City’s congestion pricing program, he posted on social media, “LONG LIVE THE KING,” alongside an edited image depicting him in a crown.
While some of Trump’s allies have entertained the idea of extending presidential term limits, others have dismissed it. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma stated he would not support amending the Constitution to allow a third term, emphasizing that any such change would require overwhelming legislative and state approval.
Trump remains focused on his current campaign for a second non-consecutive term in the 2024 election, though his repeated suggestions of extending his presidency continue to fuel debate over his long-term political ambitions.
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