By law, a U.S. president can serve only two terms. So, whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump wins in November, it would be his final term. This limitation stems from the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1951. The amendment was a response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in office, setting a new standard for presidential term limits.
A U.S. president can serve a maximum of eight years. So whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump is victorious in November, it would be their final term. This restriction ensures that no individual can hold the highest office in the country for an extended period, promoting democratic principles of rotation in leadership and preventing the consolidation of power.
Several VERIFY readers asked if Trump can run for and serve two more terms if he is reelected as president in 2024. He can't due to term limits established by the Constitution. The 22nd Amendment explicitly states that no person can be elected to the presidency more than twice, ensuring that the executive branch remains subject to regular turnover.
The United States, since its inception, has maintained a democratic tradition of limiting the presidency to two terms. This practice reinforces the idea of public service as a temporary duty rather than a lifelong career, reflecting the Founding Fathers' vision of a government by and for the people.
If Kamala Harris were to step down, could President Biden pick former President Barack Obama to be Vice President in 2024? The Constitution does not explicitly address this scenario, but legal experts generally agree that the 22nd Amendment would prevent Obama from serving as vice president after already being elected president twice.
On this day in 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified, limiting the number of terms served by the President. The move ended a controversy surrounding the potential for unlimited presidential terms, ensuring that future leaders would adhere to a standardized term limit.
America's first president, George Washington, voluntarily gave up the office more than two centuries ago. The speech he gave announcing his decision not to seek a third term set a precedent for presidential term limits that has endured to this day, shaping the expectations for leadership transitions in the country.
Donald Trump faces a unique limitation that is enticing to both his 2024 GOP rivals and potential running mates: He's eligible to serve only two terms as president. This restriction has significant implications for the upcoming election cycle and the strategies of political figures vying for the presidency.
