The American Constitution, through its 22nd Amendment ratified in 1951, sets a clear limit: no one can hold the presidency more than twice. This restriction, put in place after the four consecutive mandates of Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression and World War II, was intended to prevent the emergence of an overly long presidency. Since then, this fundamental rule has structured American political life, requiring each president to definitively leave power after two terms, consecutive or not.
An unexpected constitutional proposal
The Republican representative from Tennessee, Andy Oglesshakes up this established principle by proposing a constitutional modification authorizing a third presidential term. His approach, directly linked to the return of Donald Trump at the White House, is based on a conviction: Trump would represent an exceptional figure, capable of “restore the greatness of America”. This constitutional initiative specifies that a person could be elected three times to the presidency, provided that his first two terms were not consecutive – a provision tailor-made for the current president.
Obstacles and alternatives to a third term
The path towards the adoption of this amendment appears particularly difficult. The procedure requires a double qualified majority: two-thirds of the votes in Congress, then ratification by 38 states out of 50. The fragile Republican majority makes this prospect unlikely, especially since Democrats would massively oppose such a reform. However, other legal options are emerging. Philip Klinkner, professor at Hamilton College, discusses an alternative strategy: Trump could theoretically become vice president after 2029, then ascend to the presidency if the president-elect resigns. This hypothesis recalls the tactic used by Vladimir Poutine in Russia between 2008 and 2012, when he held the post of Prime Minister while retaining the reins of power.
-Democratic implications
This attempted constitutional amendment raises fundamental questions about the balance of power in the UNITED STATES. The 22nd Amendment, created to prevent excessive concentration of presidential power, could be circumvented by complex constitutional mechanisms. Trump himself fuels speculation, regularly raising the possibility of exceeding the two-term limit. His statement to the National Rifle Association – “I don’t know if we’re going to be seen as having three or two terms » – demonstrates a desire to push established constitutional limits. The debate around this proposal reveals the tensions between American constitutional tradition and contemporary political ambitions, questioning the democratic safeguards put in place more than seventy years ago.
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