No, Trump Cannot Run for Re-election Again in 2028

Trump’s hints at a third term spark debate. Can he run again in 2028? Experts weigh in on constitutional term limits.

Former President Donald Trump has floated the idea of a third term, but constitutional limits make it a highly unlikely prospect.

 

Washington, D.C. – Despite clear constitutional restrictions, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of serving a third term, raising eyebrows and igniting debates about presidential term limits.

 

The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, firmly prohibits presidents from being elected to office more than twice. Yet, Mr. Trump’s comments and the introduction of a long-shot resolution by Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, have brought the topic back into public discourse.

 

At various public events, including speeches at Republican gatherings and religious conventions, Mr. Trump has joked and speculated about the idea of staying in office beyond a second term. "I think I’m not allowed to run again," he quipped during a House Republican retreat, "but I’m not 100 percent sure."

 

These remarks, often presented with humor, have nonetheless raised concerns among some Democrats. Representative Dan Goldman of New York has warned that Mr. Trump’s comments are part of a pattern of testing boundaries. "He floats trial balloons that he often claims are jokes, but he’s very serious about it," Mr. Goldman stated on Bloomberg TV.

 

The Constitutional Barrier

The 22nd Amendment was introduced to prevent any individual from consolidating power in a manner resembling monarchy. “There was a concern about entrenching power in a kinglike manner,” explained Kimberly Wehle, a constitutional law expert at the University of Baltimore.

 

Changing this law is no easy feat. Amending the Constitution requires either a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the states. Ratification demands approval from three-fourths of state legislatures or constitutional conventions—an almost insurmountable hurdle in today’s polarized political climate.

 

The Ogles Resolution

Representative Ogles’ resolution, introduced shortly after Mr. Trump’s hypothetical second inauguration, proposes allowing a president to serve up to three terms. Ogles defended his proposal by arguing that Mr. Trump needs additional time to undo Biden-era policies and further his agenda.

 

“He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness,” Mr. Ogles stated.

 

A Laughing Matter—or Not?

While Mr. Trump often couches these comments in humor, critics are taking them seriously. Mr. Goldman even introduced a resolution to clarify that the 22nd Amendment applies to presidents serving nonconsecutive terms, aiming to reaffirm its intent and avoid ambiguity.

 

Although unlikely to succeed legislatively, these discussions highlight ongoing tensions over the balance of power in the presidency and the resilience of constitutional norms.