Any notion that a second-term president can run for a third term should end right now.
For a couple of weeks since President Donald Trump said he “wasn’t joking” about potentially seeking a third term, the media and political pundits have actually been engaging conversations about the prospect of such a thing happening.
The media and others have even speculated that if Trump tries for a third term, then former President Barack Obama could be considered by the Democrat Party to run against him.
The notion of a third presidential term in the United States should be decisively dismissed as it is explicitly prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, clearly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice.” The amendment leaves no wiggle room – it firmly limits an individual from serving more than two elected terms as president.
The fact that the media has been hyping it up – and so far, no U.S. lawmakers have really stated decisively this will not even be considered – is a disservice to the foundational principles of our country. Yes, it may be some fantasy by the Democrats that Obama could step up and run again, but the restriction directly prevents both Trump and Obama from seeking a third term as president.
Let’s state it again. No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice. That means both Trump and Obama are ineligible to be president a third time. Regarding the possibility of either serving as vice president, then stepping into the president’s role, the 12th Amendment states: “No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”
According to the 22nd Amendment, neither Trump nor Obama are constitutionally eligible to be president a third term, so that makes them ineligible to hold the office of vice president.
So, let’s stop this nonsense right now. For the sake of our country and the sake of our souls.
To uphold the Constitution and preserve democratic norms, both political parties must unequivocally reject any notion of a president seeking a third term.
Both Democrat and Republican party leaders and sitting lawmakers should publicly affirm their commitment to the two-term limit, regardless of political advantage. This means denouncing any rhetoric, even symbolic, that flirts with the idea of a third term.
Party leaders must discourage cults of personality and promote leadership that prioritizes institutions over individuals.
The media and democracy advocacy groups should begin a campaign right now to educate voters on the importance of term limits in preventing the rise of authoritarianism. We must highlight the historical and constitutional reasoning behind term limits, emphasizing checks and balances as a pillar of American democracy.
Additionally, political parties can strengthen internal norms by refusing to support any candidate or platform that even implies disregard for constitutional limits. This includes rejecting attempts to manipulate laws or abuse emergency powers.
Legal groups should begin formulating lawsuits and legal arguments that would shut down any reinterpretations aimed at extending presidential tenure.
Finally, Congress, with bipartisan backing, should pass resolutions reaffirming the sanctity of the 22nd Amendment and warning against any efforts to undermine it. Symbolic or not, these actions signal unity in defense of democracy.
The 22nd Amendment is binding and necessary for preserving the democratic integrity of the presidency. Let’s stop entertaining this third-term idea.
Cindy Allen 