Can Trump serve a third term as US president?

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🗞️ Driving the news: Donald Trump has said he is "not joking" about wanting a third term as US president, sparking fresh debate about constitutional limits on presidential tenure
• Despite the 22nd Amendment prohibiting anyone from being elected more than twice, Trump and allies suggest potential loopholes—such as returning via vice-presidential succession
• Legal experts, however, say the Constitution bars two-term presidents from holding the office again by any means

🔭 The context: Trump is currently serving his second term after regaining the presidency in 2024, having lost in 2020
• His comments come amid proposals by allies, including a constitutional amendment to allow up to three non-consecutive terms
• The only president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt, before term limits were formalised in the 1950s

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Presidential continuity or upheaval can significantly impact environmental policy
• A third Trump term could further deregulate climate protections, delay emissions targets, and reshape global climate diplomacy
• Stability and democratic norms are critical for long-term ESG commitments and international climate agreements

⏭️ What's next: Efforts to amend the Constitution face nearly insurmountable political hurdles, requiring broad bipartisan support across Congress and state legislatures
• Trump may continue testing legal boundaries and public sentiment, but experts remain sceptical about any third-term path
• Ongoing debate could dominate political discourse through the 2028 election cycle

💬 One quote: "I don't think there's any 'one weird trick' to getting around presidential term limits." – Derek Muller, election law professor, University of Notre Dame

📈 One stat: To amend the US Constitution, two-thirds of Congress and three-quarters of state legislatures must approve—a historically rare feat

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