US President, Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was not “joking” about seeking a third presidential term, despite constitutional limits.
However, he added that it was too soon to consider taking such action.
Trump, who began his second, non-consecutive term on January 20, has previously hinted at the possibility of a third term.
In a telephone interview with NBC News, he addressed the matter directly.
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“No, I’m not joking. I’m not joking. It is far too early to think about it,” Trump said.
When asked about ways to pursue a third term, he responded, “There are methods which you could do it, as you know,” but did not elaborate further.
The 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution limits presidents to two four-year terms, whether consecutive or not. Overturning a constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds vote in both congressional chambers and ratification by three-fourths of the 50 US states.
Some of Trump’s allies have floated the idea of keeping him in office beyond 2028.
He has also mentioned the possibility in ways that appeared to challenge his political opponents.
At 78, Trump was the oldest president at the time of his inauguration. If he were to run again and win in 2028, he would be 82 at the start of another term.
The tradition of a two-term presidency began in 1796 when George Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms.
This unwritten rule remained for over 140 years until Franklin D. Roosevelt, amid the Great Depression and World War II, broke precedent by winning a third term in 1940.
Roosevelt was later elected to a fourth term but died in 1945.
This led to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951, officially limiting presidents to two terms.
Trump’s longtime adviser Steve Bannon said in a March 19 interview with NewsNation that he believes Trump will run again in 2028.
“We’re working on it,” Bannon said, explaining that he and others are exploring ways to redefine the interpretation of term limits.
(Reuters)
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