Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee drew fire from members of his own party for proposing a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve up to three terms in office, provided they have not served two consecutive terms.
Ogles specified that he made the proposal with President Donald Trump in mind, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “I just introduced a resolution to amend the 22nd Amendment to allow President Trump to seek a third term.”
Newsweek reached out to a spokesperson for Ogles for comment via email.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., arrives for a meeting with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., arrives for a meeting with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Why It Matters
Trump has repeatedly joked about running for a third presidential term. The Constitution does not allow presidents to serve more than two terms.
“I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you say, ‘He’s so good, we’ve got to figure something else,'” Trump joked with House Republicans after winning the 2024 election.
But he previously told Time magazine he wouldn’t be in favor of changing the 22nd amendment for himself, saying, “Not for me. I wouldn’t be in favor of it at all.”
What To Know
Ogles’ proposal to amend the Constitution to allow for a third presidency didn’t go over well with a number of Trump supporters and Republicans.
The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says:
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.”
Process to Amend 22nd Amendment
The process to amend the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution would involve the same rigorous steps as any constitutional amendment, as outlined in Article V of the Constitution. This process includes two primary paths:
1. Congressional Proposal and State Ratification:
• A proposed amendment must first secure a two-thirds majority vote in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. • Following congressional approval, the amendment is sent to the state legislatures or state conventions for ratification.
• Ratification requires approval from three-fourths (currently 38) of the states.
2. Constitutional Convention:
• Alternatively, two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states) can call for a constitutional convention to propose an amendment.
• Any amendment proposed through this process must then be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
The most common route for amendments is congressional proposal followed by state ratification, as demonstrated historically.
Historical Context of the 22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, was primarily a response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms as president. It limits individuals to two terms in the presidency and restricts those who have served more than two years of another president’s term from being elected more than once.
What People Are Saying
Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, a Democrat and member of the House Judiciary Committee, told Axios: “Two terms is enough chaos for any nation to endure.”
“Constitutional amendments are for enduring principles and process,” Jenna Ellis, who represented Trump in his efforts to nullify the results of the 2020 election, wrote on X. “Not for a singular moment or because you want attention from the current leader.”
Ellis, along with Trump and more than a dozen other codefendants, was indicted in a sprawling racketeering case in Georgia. She eventually pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting false statements in connection to the Trump team’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
The conservative pundit John Cardillo criticized Ogles, saying he “needs to pull that dumb ‘give Trump a third term’ amendment stunt and focus on reversing the pain [former President Joe] Biden caused Americans.”
“It’s an embarrassing way for Ogles to climb the MAGA ladder,” Cardillo added. “Term limits, not term extensions, because this nation won’t survive 12yrs because of a Dem.”
What Happens Next
Amending the Constitution is deliberately difficult, reflecting the framers’ intent to ensure stability and careful deliberation in altering foundational laws. Historical attempts to repeal or modify the 22nd Amendment have often failed due to political disagreements and the high threshold for state ratification.
Update 01/24/25 4:18 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
