HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – President Donald Trump has said he is serious about running for a third term, even though the United States Constitution limits presidents to two terms. A political science professor and voters in the Valley weighed in on whether a third term could be possible.
“The Constitution undoubtedly prevents it.”
In a phone interview Sunday, Trump told NBC News he’s “not joking” about seeking a third term as president. Alain Sanders, a political science professor at St. Peter’s University, said it would be politically impossible to change a constitutional amendment.
“You need a super majority in the congress, and you need a super majority of states to approve a constitutional amendment,” Sanders said. “That route is politically impossible to go down, because you won’t get any sort of majority in congress and you won’t get any sort of majority in the states either.”
Voters in the area shared their thoughts about a potential third term for Trump.
“I have no problem with Trump being able to run three times. That’d be wonderful if he could. Other countries have leaders that are there for years and years, so I don’t understand the whole four-year thing,” an anonymous resident said.
Other residents were disturbed by the idea of a president serving a third term.
“The U.S. is built on the Constitution. There’s a reason that amendments exist and they help form our constitution,” resident Robert Sherman said. “What he’s trying to do is dismantle it. It’s dangerous.”
Some wouldn’t mind a third term for Trump, as long as it becomes constitutional.
“I know a lot of people don’t think he’s off to a hot start right now, but I do believe that that’ll get better. I think we should see how the second term goes,” another anonymous resident said. “It’s not in the Constitution right now, so it shouldn’t be allowed, but we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Michael, a community member who chose to only go by his first name, voiced his concerns.
“To try to think that you can just come in and try to change the narrative about how the whole country works in your own presidency, I think it’s ridiculous,” Michael said.
Changing a constitutional amendment may be difficult, but it’s speculated Trump may run for Vice President alongside another candidate in order to stay in the White House longer.
“The person elected to the presidency then resigns, and the vice president trump would then succeed to the presidency,” Sanders said. “Many think he will use this gimmick.”
However, this method is not too feasible either.
“Amendment 12 to the Constitution says nobody who is constitutionally ineligible to be president can be vice president.”
During the 2024 election candidate age sparked controversy among voters. According to Sanders, a third Trump term may raise concerns about the now 78-year-old president’s age.
“At that point in time, Trump would be 82 years old,” Sanders said. “Would he be mentally competent or even alive, possibly?”
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