The question of presidential term limits has been a recurring theme in American political discourse since the nation’s founding. While the concept of limiting power is deeply embedded in the principles of American democracy, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that a formal restriction on the number of terms a president could serve was enshrined in the Constitution. This was primarily driven by the unprecedented case of one president who served more than 2 terms: Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951, officially restricts a president from being elected to the office more than twice. It also includes a clause addressing scenarios where a vice president or someone else ascends to the presidency mid-term, stipulating that if an individual serves more than two years of another president’s term, they can only be elected president once. The exact wording of the amendment states:
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
The Genesis of Term Limits: From Tradition to Law
The idea of term limits for the president was not new in 1951. In fact, the Founding Fathers debated the length and limitations of presidential service extensively during the Constitutional Convention. Some, like Alexander Hamilton, even proposed a president serving for life. However, the prevailing sentiment favored a more limited tenure to prevent the rise of a monarchy or unchecked executive power. Ultimately, the Constitution as originally drafted did not include explicit term limits, but the precedent set by George Washington, the first US President, became the unwritten rule for over 150 years.
George Washington voluntarily retired after two terms in office, establishing a powerful tradition of the two-term presidency. This decision was crucial in shaping the early American republic and was followed by every subsequent president until the 20th century. This voluntary two-term norm was seen as sufficient to prevent any one individual from accumulating excessive power.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Four-Term Presidency
The unwritten two-term tradition held firm until the extraordinary circumstances of the 20th century, specifically the Great Depression and World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President, broke this long-standing precedent. Elected in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s leadership was seen as essential to navigating the economic crisis. As the world teetered on the brink of another global conflict, Americans again turned to Roosevelt for stability and leadership.
In 1940, with World War II raging in Europe, Roosevelt decided to run for an unprecedented third term. The nation was deeply concerned about international instability and the potential for US involvement in the war. Roosevelt argued that his experience was necessary to guide the nation through these perilous times. He won the 1940 election and then, again, in 1944, as the war continued to dominate global affairs. Roosevelt’s decision to seek and win a fourth term was driven by a sense of duty during wartime, but it also sparked a national debate about the wisdom of term limits.
The 22nd Amendment: Formalizing Presidential Term Limits
President Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, while seen by many as necessary during extraordinary times, raised concerns about the potential for executive overreach in the long run. After Roosevelt’s death in April 1945, and the end of World War II, the movement to formalize presidential term limits gained momentum. There was a growing consensus in Congress that the two-term tradition needed to be codified into law to prevent any future president from serving indefinitely.
In 1947, Congress initiated the process of amending the Constitution. The House of Representatives proposed Joint Resolution 27, which called for a constitutional amendment limiting presidents to two terms. After revisions in the Senate, the proposal was approved and sent to the states for ratification in March 1947. By 1951, the required three-fourths of the states had ratified the amendment, and the 22nd Amendment officially became part of the US Constitution.
Legacy and Ongoing Debate
Since the 22nd Amendment’s ratification, every US president has adhered to the two-term limit. However, the debate about presidential term limits continues. Arguments for repealing or modifying the 22nd Amendment often arise during times of national crisis or when a popular president approaches their term limit. Proponents of repeal argue that term limits restrict the voters’ choice and can force experienced and effective leaders to leave office, potentially hindering effective governance during critical periods. Conversely, supporters of the 22nd Amendment maintain that it is essential to prevent the concentration of power in one person and to safeguard against potential abuses of executive authority, ensuring a regular rotation of leadership and fresh perspectives in the highest office of the land.
The 22nd Amendment remains a significant part of the American political landscape, a direct response to the extraordinary presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only president who served more than 2 terms, and a testament to the ongoing tension between the need for experienced leadership and the imperative to limit executive power in a democracy.
