- Republican Congressman Andy Ogles proposes a constitutional amendment to allow U.S. presidents to serve up to three terms if their first two terms are non-consecutive.
- The measure appears tailored to former President Donald Trump, who served from 2017 to 2021 and recently began his second term.
- The proposal faces steep odds, requiring a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by 38 states.
- Critics warn the move could undermine democratic norms, drawing parallels to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who extended his rule through constitutional changes.
Is there potential for a third term for Trump to fix the Democrat's failures?
In a move that has sparked both intrigue and alarm, Republican Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee has proposed a constitutional amendment that could allow former President Donald Trump to run for a third term in 2028. The resolution, introduced on Thursday, seeks to raise the presidential term limit to three non-consecutive terms, a change that would specifically benefit Trump, who served from 2017 to 2021 and was sworn in for a second term this week. Ogles framed the proposal as a necessary step to sustain “bold leadership” and reverse what he called the “disastrous course” of the Biden administration. However, the measure has reignited debates about the fragility of democratic norms, with critics drawing parallels to Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has extended his rule through constitutional changes.
The proposal faces significant legal and political challenges. The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits presidents to two terms in office. This amendment was a direct response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency, which raised concerns about the concentration of power in the executive branch. To amend the Constitution, Ogles’ resolution would need a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures—a high bar that makes its passage unlikely. However, if Democrats did go along with such a plan, it would open the door to have figures like Barack Obama run again as President.
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms,” the proposed amendment reads. Ogles emphasized that the measure would ensure “we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs.”
However, political analysts and historians have expressed skepticism about the proposal’s viability. “This is more of a symbolic gesture than a realistic legislative effort,” said Dr. Sarah Thompson, a political science professor at Georgetown University. “The 22nd Amendment was designed to prevent the kind of prolonged presidencies that can erode democratic checks and balances.”
Historical context: from Roosevelt to Putin
The 22nd Amendment was a direct response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, which ended with his death in 1945. At the time, lawmakers feared that extended presidencies could lead to authoritarianism, a concern that remains relevant today. “The framers of the 22nd Amendment understood that term limits are essential to preventing presidents from becoming like kings,” said Dr. Michael Carter, a historian at Columbia University.
The proposal also draws uncomfortable comparisons to Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has effectively ruled for over two decades. In 2021, Putin signed a law allowing him to run for two more six-year terms, potentially extending his rule until 2036. The move followed a constitutional amendment proposed by Valentina Tereshkova, a lawmaker from Putin’s ruling party, and was widely seen as an effort to consolidate power.
“The parallels are striking,” said Dr. Elena Petrova, a Russian political analyst. “In both cases, you see leaders seeking to extend their rule by changing the rules of the game. It’s a dangerous precedent that undermines democratic institutions.”
In the best case scenario for Republicans, a strong leader emerges from the Trump Administration and carries forward the America-First agenda. Over the next four years, Trump can set a strong tone for the future of Republican leaders, providing a template of audacious leadership so Americans have the opportunity to take back their country and clean up corruption for decades to come.
Sources include:
Comments