On Thursday evening, January 23, a resolution was introduced by a congressman from Tennessee, aiming to amend the U.S. Constitution to enable President Donald Trump to serve a third term in office. Additionally, parallel legislation has been proposed to authorize the purchase of Greenland by Trump.
The constitutional amendment was proposed by Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.). This amendment would allow presidents to serve a maximum of three terms, but not more than two consecutive four-year terms. This is a proposed modification to the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, that currently limits presidents to serving only two terms.
In a public statement, Ogles expressed his belief that Trump is the only individual in recent history with the capability to curb the nation’s decline and restore America’s greatness. He emphasized that Trump would need the extra time that a third term would provide to accomplish this.
The resolution proposed by Ogles outlines that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms.” It also continues to restrict individuals who have served more than two years of another president’s term.
The 22nd Amendment was initially passed by Congress in 1947, in response to Franklin Delano Roosevelt securing an unprecedented four terms in office. Roosevelt passed away shortly after being elected for his fourth term in the 1944 election.
However, the proposed amendment faces considerable challenges. It requires the approval of two-thirds of both the House and Senate, and then ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. Given the slim Republican majority in the House and the lack of a two-thirds majority in the Senate, the resolution’s future seems uncertain.
Trump had previously mentioned the possibility of a third term during a private speech to House Republicans last year. However, multiple sources who were present told Fox News Digital that the then-president-elect was merely jesting.
Following his 2024 presidential election victory, Trump stated that he couldn’t run for a third term unless his supporters took action. He hinted at the possibility of a future campaign, but only if people declared, “He’s so good, we have to just figure it out.”
Earlier this month, Ogles also introduced the “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” which would authorize Trump to enter negotiations with Denmark for the purchase of Greenland. Ogles told Fox News Digital, “Joe Biden took a blowtorch to our reputation these past four years, and before even taking office, President Trump is telling the world that America First is back. American economic and security interests will no longer take a backseat, and House Republicans are ready to help President Trump deliver for the American people.”
Trump’s interest in buying Greenland arises from its strategic significance for U.S. security and its wealth in natural resources, especially rare earth metals. However, both Greenland’s and Denmark’s governments have firmly dismissed the idea of such a sale.
The amendment proposal has been met with criticism from Democrats. One member of the House Judiciary Committee labeled it as “truly pathetic” and remarked that “2 terms is enough chaos for any nation to endure.”
The resolution has sparked a split among Trump supporters as well. Some prefer the introduction of term limits for Congress instead, while others express concern that the amendment could potentially allow other former presidents to also serve a third term.
