Even though it was banned by the Constitution as per the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits him from running for reelection, President Donald Trump did not rule out the option of pursuing a third term in the White House in an interview with NBC News.
Trump said that there were methods for doing so, even clarifying that he was “not joking” in his conversation with Kristen Welker , moderator of Meet the Press .
“Many individuals are pushing for me to undertake this,” the president stated. referring to his allies “But really, what I’m saying is that we still have a lot of ground to cover; after all, the administration has only just begun.”
“I am concentrating on what’s happening now,” Trump said additionally.
When questioned about his desire for yet another term, the president replied: "I enjoy my work."
I'm serious," Trump stated firmly when prompted for clarification by Welker, who had initially assumed he might be jesting. "However, it’s much too soon to consider such matters.
Asked how one could approach pursuing a third term And when asked if he had been shown plans that would enable him to proceed, the president responded: "There are ways in which you can achieve this."
Welker enquired about a potential situation where the Deputy President might JD Vance raced for the presidency alongside Trump as his running mate running mate Then he handed the role to him. In response, the president said, "That's one," using this approach and further stating, "However, there are more as well."
When asked to suggest an alternative approach, he replied with a simple“No.”
Changing the Constitution to remove the two-term restriction would be highly difficult, needing either a two-thirds majority in Congress or two-thirds of the states to call for a constitutional assembly to suggest amendments. Afterward, these alterations would have to be approved by three-quarters of all states.
Trump asserts that "many individuals want me to" serve another term in office.
While addressing journalists aboard Air Force One during his flight back to Washington, D.C., following a weekend trip to Florida, he was questioned regarding his seriousness about pursuing a third term.
Trump said: “I'm not looking at that but I'll tell you, I have had more people ask me to have a third term, which in a way is a fourth term because the other election, the 2020 election was totally rigged, so it's actually sort of a fourth term. I just don't want the credit for the second because Biden was so bad, he did such a bad job, and I think that's one of the reasons that I'm popular, if you want to know the truth.
I believe my popularity stems from doing exceptional work. In just about every measure, our first hundred days have been among the finest under nearly any presidency. Many folks echo this sentiment, finding it an honor to see their nation revitalized. Our standing internationally has been restored; we’re now held in high regard and admired by many.
When asked about the constitutional boundaries he encountered, he responded: "I'd rather not discuss that topic. All I can say is that many individuals have encouraged me to seek reelection. However, we still have much work ahead before considering such an option; nevertheless, numerous people have voiced their support."
This was the extent of his most detailed statements on the issue. Earlier comments had frequently been disregarded as mere jests or the president mocking those who criticize him.
The 22nd Amendment states that "no individual can be chosen" for the presidency "on more than two occasions."
Although the initial president, George Washington, established a precedent by serving a maximum of two terms, Franklin D. Roosevelt was starting his fourth term when he passed away in office in 1945. Six years after this event, Congress enacted the 22nd Amendment to legally restrict presidents to two complete terms.
The main body of the amendment reads “No individual shall be chosen for the position of President more than twice. Furthermore, an individual who has served as President or performed the duties of President for over two years of a term where another person was originally elected President cannot be selected for the role of President more than once. However, this clause will not affect anyone occupying the presidency at the time this article is presented by the Congress, nor will it prohibit someone currently serving as President or performing those duties during the period when this amendment comes into effect from continuing in these roles until the end of said term.”
Regarding the notion of participating as vice president in a Vance campaign and being granted power, the 12th Amendment states: "No individual who is not qualified for the presidency can be eligible for the position of Vice President of the United States."
This strategy hinges on Vance winning an election independently and subsequently opting to transfer authority to Trump, even though Trump would have reached his 80s at that point. Advocates for this idea might contend that it doesn’t violate the conditions set out in the 22nd Amendment, as the amendment focuses on restrictions regarding presidential elections rather than service duration.
Nonetheless, this action would undoubtedly spark a constitutional controversy, as many would contend that it contradicts the principles laid out by the amendment and does not represent an appropriate method for selecting a president of the United States.
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