Supreme Court Justices Reject Trump Third-Term Claims

Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett have addressed questions about the possibility of President Donald Trump seeking a third term, referencing the 22nd Amendment, which clearly limits a president to two elected terms. Barrett affirmed the amendment's language is explicit, noting it was ratified after Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms to prevent presidents from serving more than twice. Sotomayor echoed that the Constitution, including the 22nd Amendment, is settled law, but observed that it has never been legally challenged in court regarding a third term, leaving some theoretical uncertainty. Both justices made their comments during public interviews while promoting books, a rare instance of Supreme Court justices speaking directly on such political topics. President Trump has at times suggested he might run again despite the amendment, with some Republican support perceived, though he has also indicated uncertainty about the legality and feasibility of a third term. The discussions highlight the constitutional constraints on presidential tenure but acknowledge that until a legal challenge arises, questions about a third term cannot be definitively resolved in court.