Aiming for a Third Stint: "I'm intent on spending four more years in office before handing over the reins to another leader"
Trump, the president of the US, has declared his intent to serve a two-term presidency, aiming for a total of eight years. In an interview with NBC, he stated, "I'll be an eight-year president, a two-term president. I've always thought that was important."
Although the U.S. Constitution, through the 22nd Amendment, prohibits a president from being elected more than twice, Trump hinted at the possibility of running in the 2028 elections back in March. However, amidst his recent statements, he admitted that he's unsure if it's lawful to break this constitutional limit. He expressed, "I don't know if it's constitutional, or whatever they're not allowing it."
Despite the buzz about a potential 2028 run, Trump clarified that he's not seeking re-election. Instead, he aims for "four excellent years and then pass the power to someone, a great Republican."
As Trump's second term comes to a close, he identified potential successors such as his vice-president, JD Vance, and the secretary of state, Marco Rubio. He remarked, "There are many people selling the hat for 2028, but I'm not one of them."
Trump's first term ended in 2021, following his defeat of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who was the vice-president of Joe Biden. His return to the White House in 2020 marked the conclusion of his first term, which he initially served from 2017.
It's crucial to acknowledge that Trump's third term as president would be unconstitutional under the current framework. A change in the Constitution would be necessary to allow Trump, or any other president, to seek a third term.
Meanwhile, the topic of equal access to the legal process remains under debate. When asked about this matter in 2019, Trump responded, "I don't know. I'm not a lawyer."
Enrichment Insight: The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, prevents any person from being elected as president more than twice. The amendment was enacted after Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms and aims to uphold the tradition set by early U.S. presidents, including George Washington, who chose not to serve more than two terms. If Trump were to seek a third term, it would require a constitutional change to be legal.
Trump expressed that he's not pursuing re-election, instead aiming for "four excellent years and then passing the power to someone, a great Republican." However, amidst his recent statements, Trump acknowledged uncertainty about the legality of running in the 2028 elections after serving two presidential terms, stating, "I don't know if it's constitutional, or whatever they're not allowing it." It's crucial to note that a third term for Trump or any other president would be unconstitutional under the current U.S. Constitution, requiring a constitutional amendment for change. Despite his potential interest in the 2028 elections, Trump clarified he's not one of the many "selling the hat for 2028."
