Will the US amend the Constitution to help President Trump have a third term?

In an interview with NBC News on March 30, US President Donald Trump caused a stir when he did not rule out the possibility of serving a third term.

US President Donald Trump. Photo: White House

"I'm not kidding," Trump said when asked if he would consider staying in power beyond his current term, but he stressed that it was too early to talk about it.

"A lot of people want me to do that, but I tell them we have a long way to go, this term is just beginning," he added.

The NBC reporter then posed a hypothetical scenario: if Vice President JD Vance were to win the next election and then transfer power to him, would that be a way for him to continue leading the country?

“That's one way, but there are other ways,” Mr. Trump replied cryptically.

President Trump took office on January 20, 2025, becoming the first US president in more than 100 years to serve two non-consecutive terms. However, under the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, a president can only serve a maximum of two terms, meaning he is ineligible to run for re-election in 2028.

Despite this, Republican Congressman Andy Ogles on January 23 proposed a constitutional amendment to allow Mr. Trump to serve a third term, citing the need to maintain his bold leadership style.

However, according to legal experts, reversing the 22nd Amendment is extremely difficult because it would face fierce opposition from the Democratic Party. To amend the Constitution, a new amendment must be passed, which requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, or be proposed by the legislatures of at least 34 states. The new amendment then needs to be ratified by at least 38 states to take effect.

However, the 22nd Amendment does not technically prohibit a former president who has served two terms from serving as vice president in the next administration. This means that if Mr. Trump were to assume the vice presidency and the incumbent president resigned or was unable to continue in office, he could very well take over again.

In more than 200 years, no US president has served more than two terms since the 22nd Amendment was passed in 1951, limiting power after President Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms (1933-1945).

Cao Phong (according to CNN, Politico, CNBC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-se-sua-hien-phap-de-giup-tong-thong-trump-co-nhiem-ky-thu-ba-post340789.html