What amendment to the US Constitution sets the presidential term limit to two terms?

The limitation on a president's time in office to two terms is a fundamental aspect of American governance, formally established by the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Before this amendment was ratified in 1951, there was no explicit constitutional restriction on how many terms a president could serve. Instead, a strong tradition, initiated by George Washington's voluntary decision to step down after two terms, guided presidential tenure for over 150 years.

This long-standing tradition was broken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected to an unprecedented four terms, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. Roosevelt's extended presidency, particularly amidst the Great (Review) Depression and World War II, sparked a national conversation about the potential for too much power to be concentrated in the executive branch. Many in Congress and the public felt it was essential to formalize term limits to prevent any future president from holding office indefinitely and to uphold the principles of a balanced democracy.

In response to these concerns, Congress proposed the 22nd Amendment in 1947, and it was ratified by the states on February 27, 1951. The amendment stipulates that no person can be elected to the office (Review) of President more than twice. It also addresses situations where a Vice President might assume the presidency, stating that if someone serves more than two years of a term to which another person was elected, they can only be elected president once more. This amendment enshrined the two-term limit into constitutional law, reflecting a commitment to preventing the accumulation of excessive power and ensuring regular transitions of leadership in the nation's highest office.