Can Trump run for a third term? Here's why the president said he's 'not joking' about it
President Donald Trump, still under the 100-day mark of his second term, suggested an attempt to remain in-office for an unconstitutionally elected third term.
Despite the 22nd amendment of the Constitution, Trump told NBC News on March 30 that his administration was investigating ways for him to remain in the Oval Office after his current term ended in 2028.
"A lot of people want me to do it," Trump said. "But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration."
"I’m not joking," he said when asked to clarify. "But I’m not — it is far too early to think about it."
Numerous methods have already been floated by the GOP, including a 2028 ticket featuring Vice President JD Vance at the Republican frontrunner, with a successful election resulting in the resignation of Vance, transferring power to the presidency to Trump, elected originally in the VP position.
How does the 22nd Amendment prevent Trump from running again in 2028?
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, bars people from being elected to the presidency more than twice. Congress passed it in 1947 as a reaction to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented election to four terms. Roosevelt died in office on April 12, 1945.
Can Trump repeal the 22nd Amendment?
There are only two ways to change the Constitution: An amendment can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate, or two-thirds of state legislatures can call a constitutional convention. Then three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions (38 of 50) must ratify it.
Paste BN's Riley Beggin contributed to this article.