If you’ve spent any time scrolling through political news lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. They’re everywhere. Donald Trump is back in the White House, it's 2026, and the chatter about Trump on term limits has reached a fever pitch. Some people are terrified. Others are buying "Trump 2028" hats.
Honestly, the whole thing is a bit of a legal circus.
The Two-Sided Coin of Term Limits
When we talk about Trump and term limits, we’re actually talking about two completely different things. First, there’s his long-standing promise to slap term limits on Congress. He’s been banging that drum since 2016. Then, there’s the much noisier debate about his own term limits—specifically, whether he can somehow bypass the 22nd Amendment to stay in power past 2029.
It’s messy. It’s loud. And depending on who you ask, it’s either a "drain the swamp" necessity or a constitutional crisis waiting to happen.
Can He Actually Run Again in 2028?
Let's get the big one out of the way first. People keep asking: can he do it? Can he stay?
The short answer is no. The 22nd Amendment is pretty blunt. It says no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Since Trump won in 2016 and again in 2024, he’s hit the ceiling. He’s the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms, but the law doesn’t care if the terms were back-to-back or years apart. Two wins and you're out.
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But here’s where it gets kinda weird. Trump has floated the idea that he might be "entitled" to more time because of how he was treated during his first term. He’s joked about it at rallies. He’s told reporters on Air Force One that he’d "love to do it."
Some of his allies, like Steve Bannon, have leaned into this. There’s even been talk of "methods" to make it happen. One theory involves him running as Vice President on a ticket with someone like JD Vance, then having Vance resign. But the 12th Amendment usually puts a damper on that, stating that if you aren't eligible to be President, you aren't eligible to be VP.
Draining the Swamp: Congressional Term Limits
Now, the other side of the Trump on term limits coin is much more popular with his base. This is the stuff he put in his "Contract with the American Voter" way back when.
The idea is simple:
- Limit House members to six years (three terms).
- Limit Senators to twelve years (two terms).
Right now, Congress is full of "lifers." People like Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have been there for decades. Trump argues that these career politicians are the reason Washington is "broken."
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In early 2025, Representative Andy Ogles actually proposed a resolution to change how we look at these limits. And earlier this year, in January 2026, the House Appropriations Committee has been pushing for "America First" funding while the term limit debate sizzles in the background.
Why It’s So Hard to Change the Rules
Changing the Constitution isn't like passing a regular law. You can't just sign an Executive Order and call it a day. To either get rid of presidential term limits or add them for Congress, you need a Constitutional Amendment.
That requires:
- A two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
- Ratification by three-fourths of the states (that’s 38 states).
In 2026, America is way too divided for that. Republicans might have the majority, but they don’t have a supermajority. Most Democrats would rather jump into a volcano than vote to let Trump run a third time. And honestly? A lot of veteran Republicans in Congress aren't exactly thrilled about the idea of term-limiting themselves out of a job either.
The "Third Term Project" and the 2028 Hats
Even though it’s a legal long shot, the movement is real. Groups like the "Third Term Project" showed up at CPAC 2025 to push the idea. And yes, the Trump store actually sold "Trump 2028" hats.
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Is it trolling? Maybe.
Republican Senator John Thune once said Trump is probably just "having some fun" with the media by teasing a third term. It keeps him from being a "lame duck." If everyone thinks you might stay, they have to keep listening to you. If they know you’re gone in three years, they start looking for the next guy.
What This Means for You
Whether you love the guy or can't stand him, the debate over Trump on term limits matters because it challenges the "norms" we've had since FDR.
Before 1951, there was no law against a third term. It was just a tradition started by George Washington. FDR broke it, so Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to make sure nobody could do it again. Now, we’re seeing a sitting president openly question if that rule still makes sense.
Actionable Insights: How to Track This
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on this, don't just watch the rallies. Watch the courts and the state legislatures.
- Follow H.J.Res. 5 and H.J.Res. 12: These are the specific bills in the 119th Congress trying to set term limits. If these gain traction, the "career politician" era might actually start to crumble.
- Check State Ballot Moves: Places like California are already trying to "Trump-proof" their 2028 ballots by requiring candidates to swear under oath they are constitutionally eligible. Watch for red states to do the opposite.
- Monitor Supreme Court Filings: If any "loophole" (like the VP swap) is actually attempted, it will end up at the Supreme Court within weeks.
The talk isn't going away. As we move closer to the 2028 election cycle, expect the noise to get even louder. Whether it's about "draining the swamp" in Congress or testing the limits of the 22nd Amendment, the rules of American power are being tested in ways we haven't seen in 75 years.
Keep an eye on the official Congress.gov tracker for any updates on constitutional amendments. That’s the only place where the "talk" actually becomes "law."