In recent discussions that have Democrats squirming like someone just served them a plate of brisket at a PETA convention, President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of seeking a third term in office. To put it mildly, this has sparked considerable debate across the political spectrum. This article investigates the constitutional framework surrounding presidential term limits, explores potential avenues for a third term, and examines the arguments for and against such a development.

Constitutional Constraints and Historical Context

Way back in school, we all learned about the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified on February 27, 1951, and how it limits how long a person can serve as President. Specifically, it prohibits anyone from being elected to the presidency more than twice. It also says that if someone takes over as president and serves more than two years of someone else’s term—like if a vice president steps in after a resignation or death—that person can only be elected president one more time.

Since the amendment was passed, there have been multiple attempts to repeal it. Supporters of repeal argue that it limits voter choice and could prevent strong leadership during national emergencies. However, none of these efforts have made it past the early stages in Congress. They remember George Washington saying something about how a monarchical government in the US would cause “irrevocable and tremendous” harm. A definite “no-go” in the original Geo’s eyes.

When the amendment was first introduced, it included an exception for whoever was president at the time, which meant Harry Truman could have run for another term if he wanted, though he chose not to. To this day, the 22nd Amendment stands as an important rule to prevent any one person from holding the presidency for too long and to protect against the risk of a president trying to hold onto power indefinitely.

How Did FDR Serve Four Terms?

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was the only U.S. president who served four terms in office, and he did so because there were no official term limits at the time and because of the unique challenges the country faced. Before the 22nd Amendment was passed in 1951, there was no law limiting how many times a person could be elected president. There was an informal tradition, started by George Washington, of serving only two terms, but it wasn’t a legal rule. FDR broke that tradition, first because of the Great Depression and later because of World War II.

During the 1930s, FDR earned the trust of millions of Americans through his leadership during the Great Depression. His New Deal programs helped stabilize the economy and provided relief to struggling families. When World War II broke out in 1939, many Americans felt it was important to keep the same leader in place to guide the country through the crisis. FDR’s experience and steady leadership were seen as essential for both the war effort and future peace.

In the 1940 election, FDR won a third term by defeating Republican Wendell Willkie, focusing on his foreign policy experience as the world moved closer to war. In 1944, despite his declining health, he was elected to a fourth term, beating Republican Thomas E. Dewey by promising to finish the war and rebuild afterward.