The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb 5, 2025
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
In 1944, when Franklin Roosevelt said he would run for a fourth term, discussions began on a Constitutional amendment to limit a U.S. President to two terms in office. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified. Now, a Tennessee Congressman wants to repeal it. Would it actually be possible for Donald Trump to be President again?
January 23rd, Rep. Andy Ogles introduced a joint resolution “proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times.”
While the resolution received a lot of attention, constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority to pass, AND be ratified by three-quarters of the states, neither of which is likely to happen.
Trump himself has flirted with the idea of staying in the presidency. The Hill reported Trump told GOP leaders, “I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you do something. Unless you say, ‘He’s so good, we have to just figure it out.”
A recent Politico article explained another scenario where a loophole in the 22nd Amendment could allow another Presidential candidate to run with Donald Trump as vice president. The new President would then step down, allowing Trump to become President again. A 1999 Minnesota Law Review article discusses this and other such vaguely-legal maneuvers as well.
Unlikely, yes. Out-of-the-question, no. We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Constitution – 22nd Amendment
National Constitution Center – FDR’s third-term election and the 22nd amendment
Office of Congressman Andy Ogles – Rep. Ogles Proposes Amending the 22nd Amendment to Allow Trump to Serve a Third Term
U.S. Congress – JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States to provide that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times.
The Hill – Tennessee Republican proposes amendment to allow Trump to serve third term
NBC News – Trump jokes about running for a third term in speech to House Republicans
Politico – How Trump Could Snatch a Third Term — Despite the 22nd Amendment
Univ. of Minnesota Law Review – The Twice and Future President: Constitutional Interstices and the Twenty-Second Amendment
Groups Taking Action:
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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