Why can't Barack Obama become president again? Blame FDR...

The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution is the primary reason Barack Obama is barred from returning to the Oval Office, as it sets a strict two-term limit for presidents. Ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms, this amendment ensures a regular leadership rotation, preventing any president from holding office indefinitely. While some Americans still hope for Obama’s return, the amendment serves as a constitutional barrier not only to a third term but, through the 12th Amendment , to a vice-presidential role as well—leaving Obama to support new leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris from the sidelines.

The 22nd Amendment: A Limit on Presidential Terms

Obama’s ineligibility to run for president again is due to the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1951. This amendment was introduced following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms, establishing a strict two-term limit for future presidents. It states, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." Obama, who served as president from 2009 to 2017, reached his two-term limit and is thus constitutionally barred from running for a third.

This two-term restriction serves several purposes, primarily to maintain a regular rotation of leadership and prevent any single individual from holding presidential power indefinitely. Founding principles in the US opposed prolonged executive power, and term limits prevent excessive authority concentration in one person. This structure is designed to protect democratic values and encourage new perspectives in the White House, a belief central to the framers’ vision for a responsive government.

The 12th Amendment: Why Obama couldn’t be VP either

Although the 22nd Amendment prevents Obama from serving as president again, it’s not the only reason he can’t hold high office in the executive branch. The 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804, states, "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States." This provision means that the qualifications for the vice presidency mirror those of the presidency. If someone is constitutionally ineligible to be president, they are also barred from being vice president.

Together, these amendments clarify that Obama’s two-term presidency makes him ineligible for a third term and disqualifies him from the vice presidency. This eliminates the possibility of his returning to a position of presidential succession, preserving the intent of the 22nd Amendment’s term limit.

What Obama has said about Kamala Harris

In recent weeks, former President Barack Obama has been actively campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting her dedication to public service and her readiness to lead. At various rallies, he underscored her contrast with Donald Trump, critiquing Trump’s self-interest and positioning Harris as a leader committed to the well-being of Americans. Speaking in Milwaukee, Obama endorsed Harris as part of a “new generation of leadership” that understands and relates to everyday Americans. He also urged Black men to support her, addressing potential hesitations about backing a female president and emphasizing her lifelong commitment to fighting for those in need. Through his endorsements, Obama has expressed confidence in Harris’s qualifications and stressed the crucial importance of voter turnout in the upcoming election.