What is the 22nd Amendment? Law that limits Donald Trump's tenure as US president to two terms

Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by suggesting he could pursue a third term as the US President, despite the constitutional ban on serving more than two terms.
In a phone interview with NBC News on Sunday, the former president claimed there were “methods” that could allow him to stay in office beyond the traditional limit. “I’m not joking,” he insisted.
His remarks reignited debate over the 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in 1951 to prevent any president from serving more than two elected terms. The rule was introduced in response to Franklin D Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, which raised concerns over executive power and long-term rule.
What is the 22nd Amendment ?
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified on 27 February 1951, limits a president to two elected terms. It also includes stipulations on succession in cases where a president has served more than two years of a term originally won by another.
Despite the constitutional limit, Donald Trump once again raised the possibility of serving beyond two terms. The president suggested that there were ways he could seek a third term.
Later, addressing reporters, he claimed widespread public support for the idea
“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. I don’t want to talk about a third term now because no matter how you look at it, we’ve got a long time to go.”
While the 22nd Amendment explicitly bars a president from being “elected” more than twice, Trump hinted at alternative routes. When asked about the possibility of his running mate, JD Vance, becoming president and later “passing the baton” back to him, Trump responded, “Well, that’s one. But there are others too.” However, he refused to elaborate further.
Nine US presidents have taken office without being directly elected, all having previously served as vice presidents before stepping in due to a predecessor’s death or resignation. This raises a key legal question: could a former two-term president return to power by first becoming vice president?
The 22nd Amendment only restricted a president from being elected twice, it does not explicitly ban them from serving as vice president. Meanwhile, the 12th Amendment stated that anyone “constitutionally ineligible” to be president cannot be vice president. However, legal experts disagree on whether this applies to term limits or only to basic eligibility factors like age, citizenship, and residency.
If taken to the US Supreme Court, a ruling could determine whether a Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 might evolve into a Vance-Trump ticket in 2028. In such a scenario, Vance could resign, allowing Trump to assume the presidency again, a potential loophole that could redefine presidential succession.
Trump’s remarks have drawn sharply divided reactions. Democrats have condemned the idea, while his supporters argue that his leadership is essential for America’s future.
Representative Daniel Goldman, a Democrat, warned, “This is yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy. If Congressional Republicans believe in the Constitution, they will go on the record opposing Trump’s ambitions for a third term.”
Meanwhile, Trump supporters, like 30-year-old former paralegal Kayla Thompson from Wisconsin, see him as the country’s best hope:
“America needs him. America is headed in the right direction, and if he doesn’t do it, we’re probably headed backwards.”
While Trump has not officially announced any legal strategy to bypass the 22nd Amendment, his comments signal that he may continue to test the limits of presidential power.