The amendment that explains that the president can only serve 2 full terms is the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution. It was ratified on February 27, 1951. The amendment states that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Additionally, if someone holds the office of President for more than two years of a term to which another person was elected, they can only be elected president once more. This amendment was established in response to President Franklin D. Roosevelt being elected to four terms, breaking the tradition set by George Washington of serving no more than two terms. In summary:
- A president can only be elected for two full terms.
- Someone who serves more than two years of a predecessor's term can only be elected once more.
- The amendment codified the two-term tradition into constitutional law to prevent any president from serving more than two terms.
This is known as the Twenty-second Amendment.