Could 'pass the baton' be Trump's path to a third term as U.S. president?

U.S. President Donald Trump is once again talking about serving more than two terms in office.

In a phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker on the weekend, he told her: “A lot of people want me to do it, But we have— my thinking is, we have a long way to go. I’m focussed on the current.” When she asked if he had been presented with plans, he said: “Well, there are plans.



There are — not plans. There are, there are methods which you could do it, as you know.” To her request to confirm whether or not he was joking, Trump answered: “No, no I’m not joking.

” But is he? Here’s what to know. The 22nd Amendment , which was ratified in 1951, is very clear on the matter: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” It also adds that no one who has held the office for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected may be elected to the office of the President more than once, suggesting that a vice-president who moves into the role can’t be elected more than one more time.

(A grandfather clause, allowing then-president Harry S. Truman to run for a third term, became moot when he decided not to do so.) Welker asked Trump if one potential avenue to a third term was having Vice President JD Vance run for the top job and “then pass the baton to you.

” Trump responded: “Well, that’s one,” adding: “But there are others too. There are others.” When Welker asked him to tell her another, he replied: “No.

” It does. The 12th Amendment , ratified in 1804, clearly states that “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.” Combined with the rule of the 22nd Amendment, it would mean that Trump cannot run for the office of vice-president either.

(It should be noted that “baton passing” is not in itself illegal. The rules state that the president may be replaced if she or he becomes incapacitated, dies, resigns, is unable to hold office or is removed from office. Resignation is therefore allowed, with no other reason needed.

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