President Donald Trump once again raised the possibility of serving a third term during a prayer breakfast on Thursday, marking the third time he has suggested this idea since his inauguration.
“I want to be here with you, and I have to be here with you,” Trump said at the Washington Hilton. “And I do that despite the fact that they say I can’t run again.”
Trump emphasized, “No, I want to be with you regardless. It’s an honor,” according to The Washington Times.
The president attended two prayer breakfasts on Thursday—one at the Hilton and another earlier in Statutory Hall at the Capitol. During these events, he discussed the need for religion to play a larger role in American society and called for unity between Republicans and Democrats.
Trump has hinted at running for a third term several times before. Just last week, he mentioned the possibility in a speech to Republicans at Mar-a-Lago. He also joked at a rally in Las Vegas two days earlier, saying, “It will be the greatest honor of my life to serve not once but twice – or three or four times.”
However, the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly limits presidents to two terms in office, stating that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Despite this, Trump, who controversially attempted to remain in office after losing the 2020 election, could still seek another term. Republican Rep. Andy Ogles has already introduced an amendment to allow Trump to serve a third term.
Ian Bassin, former White House associate counsel and executive director of the nonprofit Protect Democracy, told Politico, “Anyone who thinks the 22nd Amendment will stop Trump from trying for a third term is out of touch with reality.”
Beyond attempting to amend the 22nd Amendment, Trump could explore other possibilities. Politico suggests he might attempt to run for vice president and, if successful, later assume the presidency. Alternatively, he could simply run for president again, hoping that a supportive Supreme Court wouldn’t intervene. Another extreme option would be for him to refuse to leave the White House, potentially challenging American democracy.
While facing significant political, legal, and practical hurdles, Bassin warns that Trump’s ambitions shouldn’t be dismissed outright.
Trump has floated the idea of a third term for years. In August 2020, he said, “We are going to win four more years. And then after that, we’ll go for another four years.” At a National Rifle Association meeting in May 2024, he noted, “FDR served 16 years—four terms. I don’t know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?”
In November 2020, Trump joked, “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s so good we’ve got to figure something else out.’” And just last month, he remarked at a Las Vegas event, “It will be the greatest honor of my life to serve not once but twice—or three or four times.”
Trump also mentioned the idea during a House Republican retreat, saying, “I’ve raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can’t use for myself, but I’m not 100 percent sure because I don’t know.”
At a gathering of religious conservatives in July 2020, he told supporters, “Christians, get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore, you know what? Four more years, it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine, you won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.”
In September 2020, Trump told a Nevada rally, “We’re going to win four more years in the White House. And then after that, we’ll negotiate, right? Because we’re probably — based on the way we were treated — we are probably entitled to another four after that.”
Changing the Constitution to allow a third term would be a monumental challenge. To propose an amendment, a two-thirds majority is required in both houses of Congress, which the Republican Party currently lacks.
