The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution has limited American presidents to two four-year terms in office since 1951. The only legal way to repeal this addition is with the agreement of two-thirds of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, followed by ratification by three in four state legislatures.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sometimes mused about serving longer than two terms. There have been rumours about an extension that would not require a constitutional amendment, by enacting so-called “wartime” or “emergency” powers that would compel the head of state to remain in office.

Americans are not particularly interested in tinkering with the 22nd Amendment. As of January 2026, only 34 per cent are in favour of allowing a person to be elected to the office of president of the United States three times—a proportion that reaches 45 per cent among Trump voters in 2024.

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