Trump says he wants a third term but admits law may not allow it

US President Donald Trump has once again said he wants to return to the White House for a third term. He made the remark in an interview with Miranda Devine on the podcast "Pod Force One". He also acknowledged that, under American law, becoming president a third time may not be possible.

The statement has revived discussion in US political circles, both about his political ambitions and about the limits set by the American Constitution.

In the interview, Trump was asked whether he would want to contest again. He replied that he would like to run again if given the chance. Trump also claimed that he leads the other probable candidates in a recent survey. However, given the current constitutional provisions, he indicated that he would not be able to contest again.

Under the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, no person can be elected president more than twice. This means there is a constitutional bar to Trump contesting a third time. He has expressed a wish for a third term before, but he has now acknowledged that the law prohibits such an attempt.

Alongside voicing his wish for a third term, Trump described the remainder of his current term as important. He said more than two years of his presidency are still left, and that he is confident many important tasks can be accomplished for the country in that time. Even if there is no room for a third term, his emphasis appears to be on making his administration's work more effective in the time that remains.

Trump's remarks have also fuelled talk about the 2028 presidential election. But changing the two-term limit set by the 22nd Amendment would require going through the process of amending the Constitution. There is thus a wide gap between Trump's wish and the constitutional path that actually exists.