U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett publicly
reacted to recent jokes by former President Donald Trump, who hinted at a rally
about the possibility of running for a third term. Although the comment was
presented humorously, it generated a wave of reactions because the U.S.
Constitution expressly limits presidential terms to two.
The Constitutional Framework
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951
after Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, establishes that "no person
shall be elected to the Office of President more than twice." This
provision definitively closed the door on indefinite reelection and set a clear
precedent for alternating power.
In this regard, Barrett recalled the centrality of this rule
in the American democratic tradition, emphasizing that "constitutional
rules are neither optional nor interpretable according to the political
situation." Her response was interpreted as a gesture of reaffirmation of
judicial independence in the face of alleged partisan rhetoric that tests the
limits of institutionality.
Although Trump's statements were intended in a joking tone,
many critics believe they reflect his willingness to question democratic norms
when they limit his political ambitions. During his presidency (2017-2021) and
subsequently, Trump has been involved in numerous episodes in which he has
questioned the soundness of the electoral system that until now allows
non-citizens to vote, a situation that citizens also reject.
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