Donald Trump’s Plan to Run for a Third Term Hits a Major Roadblock—Here’s What Happened
Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, a Republican, is pushing for a change in the Constitution to let former President Donald Trump run for a third term.
In a recent interview with Newsmax, Ogles admitted that getting this change approved would be tough but called it crucial for America’s future. Democrats have expressed concerns that Trump might act like a dictator if he gets back into the White House. Trump himself has said he doesn’t support changing the Constitution for a third term.
Ogles proposed a change to the Constitution on January 23, specifically targeting the 22nd Amendment, which currently limits presidents to two terms. He wants to adjust it so a president can run for a third term but not serve more than two terms in a row. This means past two-term presidents like Barack Obama or George W. Bush wouldn’t be eligible for a third term.
Changing the Constitution is a difficult process. It needs approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from at least 38 out of 50 states. This means many Democrats and states would have to support the change, which is unlikely. Some Republicans have also criticized the idea.
Ogles told Newsmax that passing this amendment would take a lot of effort. He argued that Trump needs more time in office to fix what he calls the damage caused by President Biden’s administration. However, Democrats and legal experts have criticized Ogles’ proposal.
The 22nd Amendment was added in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms as president. It was meant to prevent any president from holding too much power. The Constitution has been amended 27 times since 1787, with the last change in 1992, which stopped Congress from giving themselves mid-term pay raises.
What People Are Saying:
- Andy Ogles told Newsmax: “This amendment is important because the Biden administration caused so much damage in four years that it will take a decade to fix. If Trump runs again and the people want him, he should be allowed to serve a third term.”
- Dan Goldman, a Democratic congressman from New York, said: “Trump often jokes about unconstitutional ideas, and his supporters take them seriously. Ogles is following that pattern by proposing this amendment. It’s not funny.”
- Stephen Sachs, a Harvard law professor, told CNBC: “This amendment has almost no chance of passing. It would need Democratic support, which it won’t get. Right now, Republicans don’t control enough of Congress or state legislatures to make it happen.”
- Donald Trump told Time in 2024: “I wouldn’t support changing the 22nd Amendment. I plan to serve four years, do a great job, and get the country back on track.”
What’s Next:
For Ogles’ proposal to move forward, it must first be approved by the Judiciary Committee before it can be voted on by the full House. Given the strong opposition, it’s unlikely to pass.
