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Trump ⁣Declares He Won’t Seek Third Term, Acknowledging Constitutional Limits

President ‍Donald‌ trump said Wednesday⁢ he would not pursue a third term ‍in office, ‍acknowledging constitutional limits after months of hinting ⁢otherwise, though it ⁢was unclear whether it was his⁢ final word on the matter.

Trump, who is known for changing⁣ his mind on major issues, ⁤was speaking to reporters on Air Force One during his Asia trip. His flirtation with the idea ‌has alarmed opponents⁣ and constitutional experts, who say a‌ third⁣ term would test ⁣the 22nd Amendment, which states no person⁣ shall be elected to the presidency more​ then twice.

“If you read it, it’s ‌pretty ‌clear – I’m⁣ not allowed to run. It’s to bad,⁢ but we have ‌a⁢ lot of great people,” ⁢Trump said, a reference to other Republicans who could seek to succeed him ⁢after his current term ends in ⁢January 2029.

Trump, however, frequently‌ takes what appear to be firm positions on issues, only to reverse course later.

Trump, 79, has in the past ⁤repeatedly refused⁢ to⁣ rule out the ‌possibility of seeking a third four-year term in 2028. His ‍comments came the day after a close political ally, U.S. speaker of the House of ⁢Representatives‌ Mike Johnson, said he had⁤ told Trump he did not see a path toward changing the Constitution to permit a third term.

The 22nd Amendment was adopted in 1951‍ after Franklin Roosevelt was elected president four times.

“It’s been a great run. But I think the president knows,and he and I have talked ⁤about,the constrictions of the Constitution,” ⁤Johnson told reporters on ⁤Capitol Hill. “I don’t see‍ a way to amend the Constitution⁤ as it takes about 10 years to⁣ do that, as you all know, to allow all the states to ratify… what two-thirds of the House and three-fourths of the states would‍ approve,”⁣ Johnson said.

This ‌week was ⁤not the first time Johnson has addressed the legal barrier⁢ to Trump serving a third ‌term. ⁤A former constitutional lawyer who focused on religious rights and conservative social issues​ before being elected to Congress in 2016, the ⁣Louisiana Republican ‍said‌ earlier this year that Trump understood the constitutional limitations.

Johnson’s latest‍ remarks drew a sharp contrast with some members of his‍ House Republican majority, who have said ⁣publicly that ⁤they want Trump to seek a third term ⁣to prevent ‍a Democrat from entering the ⁢White House.

Trump often teases a‌ third term at his‍ rallies and happily hands out “Trump 2028” hats to his friends ⁣at the White‍ House.