A Republican congressman, Andy Ogles, has introduced a bill seeking to amend the United States Constitution to allow former President Donald Trump to run for a third term in office. Ogles submitted the resolution on Thursday, citing Trump’s leadership as crucial for addressing the nation’s challenges and restoring its global position.
“Donald Trump has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness,” Ogles said. “He must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal.”
Under the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, no person can be elected to the presidency more than twice. The amendment was ratified in 1951, following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms in office, which raised concerns about excessive executive power. Historically, US presidents have adhered to George Washington’s two-term precedent.
Ogles, however, believes the current circumstances warrant an exception. “We must provide Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration,” he argued.
Although Trump has previously dismissed the idea of seeking a third term, he joked about it after his 2024 election victory. “Unless you say, ‘he’s so good, we have to just figure it out,’” Trump quipped, adding fuel to speculation.
Ogles pointed to Trump’s second-term accomplishments as evidence of his leadership. He praised Trump’s executive orders, including actions on border security, increased energy production, the reversal of certain gender identity policies, and the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization.
Amending the Constitution is no easy feat. Ogles’ proposal would require significant bipartisan support, with two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate voting in favor. Additionally, three-fourths of state legislatures would need to ratify the amendment before it becomes law.
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Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, but the proposal is expected to face stiff opposition from Democrats and some members of the GOP who may see it as undermining the nation’s democratic traditions.
The 22nd Amendment was introduced to prevent the concentration of power in the executive branch after Roosevelt’s 12 years in office from 1933 to 1945. Since its ratification, no US president has served more than two terms, ensuring a balance of power and preventing potential authoritarianism.
While Ogles’ proposal underscores the loyalty Trump commands among his supporters, critics argue that altering the Constitution for one individual sets a dangerous precedent. Legal and political analysts have also noted the steep hurdles the bill faces in Congress and across state legislatures.
As the debate unfolds, Ogles remains adamant about his position. “This is not about politics but about the future of our nation,” he stated.
For now, the proposal is likely to spark national conversation, with its implications likely to dominate discussions in Washington and beyond in the coming months.