Trump "not joking" about serving a third term

Anna McCartha

President Donald Trump recently stated he is “not joking” about trying to serve a third term in office.

“There are ways that you could do it,” Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News.

Trump later told reporters from multiple media organizations that he was not actually looking at running for a third term, at least at the present moment, clarifying that he had simply been asked about the possibility several times. However, the comments have led to controversy and speculation around the country, including from Troy University students.

“If he’s allowed to have a third term, that would kind of lead other people to want to bend the rules as well,” said Cera Lunsford, a sophomore history major from Crestview, Florida.

“Then all of the order that’s kind of been there is just not, you know?

“I hope for the American people to agree with me and say that there doesn’t need to be anyone having a third term.”

The rule in question is the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951, which limits presidents to no more than two terms in office.

The 22nd Amendment was ratified after President Franklin D. Roosevelt served his third term, sparking concerns of him being able to run for as many terms as the people would elect him for.

“I think that’s incredibly alarming that Trump is trying to get a third term,” said Max DeMarco, a sophomore English education major from Montgomery, Alabama. “I think that in order to do that, he’d have to undermine a lot of precedent.”

For Trump to be able to run for a third term the 22nd Amendment would have to be amended or repealed, which would require a two-thirds majority vote in Congress.

“It is theoretically possible, but that process would be the same as amending the Constitution,” said Dr. Michael Slobodchikoff, a professor of political science at Troy University. “Therefore, it would need not only congressional support by a super majority; it would also require a super majority of states to pass it as well.”

Despite comments where he did say he was considering running again, Trump told reporters that he didn’t want to talk about a third term now because no matter how it’s viewed, they’ve got a long time to go.