Trump Announces Plans to Remain President for 8-9 More Years, Highlights Need for Constitutional Amendment for Third Term

April 6, Kathmandu – US President Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire to serve as president in the future. During a White House event, he stated that he plans to remain in office for another 8-9 years before stepping down.

When the audience laughed at this statement, Trump clarified that he was serious, saying, “I enjoy working.” He noted that his term has just begun and much work remains to be done.

Trump will turn 80 next month. Joking about his age, he remarked, “I’m not old; I’m much younger than old. I still feel the same way I did 50 years ago.”

Trump has previously hinted multiple times at seeking a third presidential term.

Earlier, on January 23, 2025, Andy Ogles introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives aiming to amend the Constitution to allow Trump to serve a third term as president.

The proposed amendment would allow any person who has not served two consecutive presidential terms to be eligible to run for a third term. Since Trump was defeated in the 2020 election, this amendment would enable him to run again.

However, the bill did not succeed and did not make it to a vote in the House, reflecting the difficulty of amending the US Constitution. It requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, a threshold the Republicans currently do not meet.

Additionally, ratification from at least 38 of the 50 states is necessary. Since many states are governed by the Democratic Party, passing such a proposal is considered challenging.

Challenge to 73-Year-Old Rule

Previously, there was no limit on the number of terms a US president could serve. This changed in 1951 with the 22nd Amendment, which formalized the rule allowing a maximum of two terms.

George Washington voluntarily retired after two terms, setting an informal tradition that was observed by all presidents except Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected four times from 1933 to 1945.

Can Trump Amend the Constitution?

To run for a third term, Trump would need a constitutional amendment, which is a challenging process. It demands a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House, something the Republican Party currently lacks.

In the Senate, Trump’s party holds 52 of 100 seats. In the House, Republicans hold 220 of 435 seats, which falls short of the two-thirds (67%) required.

Moreover, any amendment requires the approval of at least 38 states out of 50.

Trump May Adopt Putin’s Strategy

Trump has previously indicated his desire to maintain power beyond two terms. Experts suggest that if he cannot secure a third term, he might pursue alternative strategies.

Philip Klinkner, a professor at Hamilton College, stated that Trump could run as vice president in 2028, effectively making another figurehead president, a strategy similar to what Vladimir Putin employed in Russia. There is also speculation that Trump could place family members in the presidency to maintain control from behind the scenes.

Putin served as Russia’s president twice between 2000 and 2008 but was barred by the constitution from a third consecutive term, leading him to appoint Dmitry Medvedev as president during that period.

(With agency contributions)