‘Too bad’ I can’t run for third term, Trump says
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that “it’s too bad” he is not allowed to run for another term, considering that the US Constitution places a two-term limit on Presidents.
Trump had served a first term as President which ran from 2017 to 2021 and currently serving his second term which would elapse in January 2029.
Despite the two terms not being consecutive, running for presidency again would be considered a third term, which the US Constitution does not permit.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One which was enroute from Japan to South Korea, Trump said: “If you read it, it’s pretty clear. I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.”
The President’s comments came a day after House Speaker Mike Johnson told Reporters at the US Capitol on Tuesday, that it would be impossible for Trump to contest another presidential election and remain as US President beyond 2028. “I don’t see the path for that,” he said.
Johnson said he had discussed the matter with the President and that Trump understands the situation.
“It’s been a great run, but I think the President knows — and he and I have talked about — the constrictions of the Constitution,” Johnson noted, adding that while Trump enjoys teasing Democrats with “Trump 2028” slogans and hats, the Constitution was explicit on the subject.
The speaker elaborated on how the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment does not give room for a third presidential term, adding that a new amendment would be a cumbersome, decade-long process in winning over states and votes in Congress.
“I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution because it takes about 10 years. You’d need two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states to ratify it. I don’t see the path for that,” he said.
“But I can tell you that we are not going to take our foot off the gas pedal. We’re going to deliver for the American people, and we’ve got a great run ahead of us — he’ll have four strong years,” he added.
Trump was however somewhat less definitive on the constrictions around a third presidential term.
“Based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run. So we’ll see what happens,” he said.
