Trump loyalists push for constitutional change to extend presidency beyond two terms

A group of loyalists to US President Donald Trump is advocating for a constitutional amendment that could enable him to serve a third term in office, a possibility Trump has not dismissed. 

This movement, still in its infancy, stems from Trump’s repeated comments suggesting he might run again, despite the clear restriction of the 22nd Amendment, which bars presidents from serving more than two terms, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

Trump's remarks at a recent meeting with House Republicans in South Florida – "Am I allowed to run again?" – have kept the speculation alive, fueling the idea that a third term may be achievable. “There is no argument whatsoever that President Trump can be elected to the office of president again,” said J. Michael Luttig, a retired federal appeals court judge, underscoring the constitutional limitation.

Despite this, Trump’s diehard supporters are pushing ahead. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a poster titled "Third Term Project" depicted Trump in Roman emperor garb, with the slogan “For Trump 2028 ...And Beyond!” One organiser, Shane Trejo, expressed hope that the amendment proposed by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) could gain traction among conservative Republicans. The resolution suggests extending presidential term limits from eight years to 12, allowing Trump to potentially remain in office until 2033.

Steve Bannon, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, also voiced support for a third term at CPAC, declaring, “We want Trump in ’28. That’s what they can’t stand. A man like Trump comes along only once or twice in a country’s history. We want Trump!”

However, the political reality of amending the Constitution remains daunting. “It would take this body to act, and I don’t see this body acting,” said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas). Two possible routes exist: a two-thirds vote in Congress or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. The latter, though rarely used, could be more viable, especially given that 57% of state legislatures are controlled by Republicans, compared to 37% by Democrats.

Jenna Ellis, a former Trump campaign attorney, commented, “If there’s a procedural way to accomplish it, he’s likely very much considering it.” Still, the challenge of amending the Constitution remains steep, with Georgetown Law professor Victoria Nourse noting the difficulty of gaining broad support across states.

For Trump, the third-term talk may also serve as a political strategy to retain influence. As Michael DuHaime, a former Republican National Committee official, noted, “If there’s even a remote chance he could stay in power, they will stay in line.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev