Donald Trump has begun his second term as president of the United States, marking his last period allowed by the country's Constitution. The 22nd Amendment states that no person can be elected more than twice to this office, amended after Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected four consecutive times.
The Constitution specifically prohibits a third term for Donald Trump, as it would violate the constitutional limit on presidential terms. In 2023, some states tried to keep Trump off the ballot, arguing that he violated the prohibition of the 14th Amendment concerning officials who participated in insurrections. However, the United States Supreme Court overturned those decisions based on a lack of legal precedents.
Despite Trump's occasional jokes about a third term, legally the situation is clear: the amendment states that one can only be elected president twice. Some argue that Trump could run as vice president and, if the president resigns, assume the office, but the complications and legal obstacles of such a scenario are evident.
Although there have been attempts by some Republicans in Congress to propose constitutional amendments to allow Trump a third term, these initiatives have little chance of success. Trump, who will be 82 years old at the end of his term, has stated that this will be his last presidency, despite the jokes he has made in public about the possibility of staying longer in office.
Despite the controversies and speculation, Trump has stated that this will be his last term, thus complying with the constitutional prohibition of serving more than twice as president.
