Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, was mocked after social media users largely had the same response to his proposed constitutional amendment to allow presidents three terms.
Here we go. Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has drafted a constitutional amendment to allow Donald Trump to be president for a third term.
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— Republicans Against Trumpism (@rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits a person to serving as president for no more than two terms. Passed by Congress in 1947 in response to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's unprecedented election to four terms, the amendment sought to prevent an over-consolidation of executive power. Roosevelt, who won his fourth term in 1944, passed away the following year.
In a statement released Thursday, Ogles argued for the need to revise this amendment:
"Trump has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal. It is imperative that we provide President Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration."
“He is dedicated to restoring the republic and saving our country, and we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him. I am proposing an amendment to the Constitution to revise the limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment on presidential terms."
"This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs."
And yet there is a glaring hole in the proposal's logic: It would allow former President Barack Obama to run for a third term as well.
An October poll revealed that over half of Americans would likely vote for Obama if he were to run for president today. Conducted by YouGov, the survey asked 1,102 U.S. adults about their favorability ratings for 10 former presidents and their likelihood of voting for them in 2024.
Obama received a 57% favorability rating, with 53% of respondents indicating they were "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to vote for him. That means he'd be a formidable threat to Trump should he choose to run again.
People thought it was hilarious—and made sure to point this out to Ogles and his backers.
Make America Great Again
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— hamstorau.bsky.social (@hamstorau.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Hope Obama starts campaigning tomorrow.
— Wendy48 (@wendywendy48.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Obama - come on bro…you got one more in ya!
— Tom Nevers (@tomnevers.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
This is actually a good thing because it would allow Obama to run for a 3rd term as well. I hate to say it but we should abolish term limits.
— Johny Squid (@thejohny.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Ogles' proposal comes just four days into Trump's term—but it's not like Trump hasn't suggested staying in office indefinitely.
During a November meeting with House Republicans, he hinted that he might seek their support in attempting to bypass the Constitution to run for a third term in the future—a remark that drew laughter from the supportive audience.
He said:
“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s so good we’ve got to figure something else out.'"
Over the summer, Trump told attendees at a conservative Christian event that they "won’t have to vote anymore" if he were elected, stating, "It’ll be fixed so good, you’re not going to have to vote."
And these claims go back further still: In 2020, Trump suggested at a rally that he deserved an additional term after his potential second due to how he had been treated, saying "we are probably entitled to another four after that.”
