American History Hit

Episode: The Truth about the Two-Term Limit

Host: Don Wildman
Guest: Professor Jeremy Suri (University of Texas at Austin)
Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of American History Hit explores the origins, evolution, and impact of the two-term limit for U.S. Presidents, culminating in the 22nd Amendment. Host Don Wildman and historian Professor Jeremy Suri examine how the founding generation’s vision of restrained executive power was put to the test—first with George Washington’s precedent, then repeatedly challenged, and finally formalized in the wake of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency. The discussion dives deep into the amendment’s legacy, its effects on American political culture, and asks whether the hard cap on presidential terms ultimately serves or limits democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Founders' Fears and Washington’s Precedent

[04:59]

• The Founders built the presidency wary of monarchy and unchecked power, favoring a "presumption of self-limitation."
• Professor Suri: "Public service was not a profession. Public service was a calling for a specific period." (06:28)
• George Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, intentionally setting a model to avoid “ambitious and unprincipled men” seeking power indefinitely.
• Washington’s famous warning:

  “He uses the phrase, ‘ambitious and unprincipled men’ in his farewell address who will seek to subvert the power of the people for their own ends.” — Don Wildman (07:44)

• Early presidents like Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe followed Washington's example; the two-term convention became informally sacrosanct.

2. Temptations & Challenges before FDR

[10:28]

• Attempts or speculation about third terms predated FDR:
  • Andrew Jackson considered but declined a third term.
  • Ulysses S. Grant sought a third non-consecutive term due to “financial incompetence,” but after losing momentum, wrote his memoirs instead.
  • Theodore Roosevelt tried for a non-consecutive third term under the Bull Moose Party, arguing he’d only been “elected” once.
  • Woodrow Wilson, despite debilitating health, considered a third term.
• Professor Suri: "[The] presumption was that a successful president would serve for two terms... never a third." (09:13)

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the End of an Era

[16:55]

• Exceptional times (the Depression and WWII) led to exceptional measures:
  • FDR became a father figure through radio (“Fireside Chats”), expanding not only the reach of the presidency but its emotional and practical role in American life.
  • Prof. Suri: "The New Deal begins with a different image for the presidency... A president who is deeply engaged, not just in what's happening in the country, but what's happening in your neighborhood, in your home." (19:37)
  • Despite the two-term tradition, the Democratic Party—amidst crisis—“could not abide hesitation” and nominated Roosevelt for a third term.
  • Roosevelt retained the appearance of humility, stating he would serve only if called:

    “He turned his position for a third term into the Washington position by saying, ‘I don’t seek it, but if the country needs me…’” — Prof. Suri (23:52)

4. From Precedent to Law: The 22nd Amendment

[31:45]

• FDR’s fourth election and subsequent death galvanized support for formal term limits.
• The Republican-controlled Congress (after 1946) and bipartisan support quickly advanced the amendment.
• The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, stipulates that no person may be elected to the presidency more than twice.
• Don Wildman reads from the amendment:

  “‘No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice ...’” (34:02)

5. Effects and Consequences of the Two-Term Limit

[35:35]

• The amendment made the “lame duck” phenomenon official—second-term presidents see diminished political influence.
• However, it can also liberate presidents to take bold or bipartisan action in their second term.
• Prof. Suri: “In second terms, presidents like Eisenhower and Reagan… do things they really care about that aren’t popular in their own party.” (36:18)
• The limit is now sacrosanct; there is no serious movement to repeal it, and most presidents and Americans tire of the office after eight years.
  • “Eight years in that job is probably too much for any human being now.” — Prof. Suri (38:16)

6. Reflections on Contemporary Politics

[39:11]

• The cause of modern hyper-partisanship is more often attributed to the lack of Congressional term limits, not presidential ones.
• The amendment is generally seen as having improved the balance of power and energized the modern presidency.
  • “...presidents have become more powerful but more fleeting in their time in office. And that does, for the best presidents, force them to be more creative.” — Prof. Suri (39:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Founders’ intent:

  "The founders ended up really not agreeing and so they created a four-year term. The presumption was...public service was not a profession. Public service was a calling for a specific period. And their model was just what Washington represented."
  — Professor Jeremy Suri (06:28)

• On Roosevelt's legacy:

  "Roosevelt followed this up by turning the government from an organization that was distant into the organization that kept you alive, that gave you a job, that provided you with electricity."
  — Jeremy Suri (19:37)

• On the two-term limit’s impact:

  "Once you cannot run again, you lose leverage over people in your own party as well as people outside of your party."
  — Prof. Suri (29:20)

• Current relevance:

  "By eight years, most people are tired. Most Americans are tired of the person who’s president."
  — Prof. Suri (38:16)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:59] — Founders’ anxiety about executive power, and Washington’s voluntary departure
• [10:01] — Evolution and first serious challenge to the two-term tradition (Grant, Roosevelt)
• [17:35] — FDR’s crisis leadership and reinvention of the presidency
• [23:52] — FDR’s third-term strategy and party dynamics
• [32:14] — Republican-led movement for the 22nd Amendment
• [35:35] — Consequences of the amendment (“lame duck” effect)
• [36:18] — How second-term limits can foster bold presidential moves
• [38:16] — Why the two-term limit persists and fatigue in the presidency
• [39:55] — Reflection on modern presidency creativity and legacy of the 22nd Amendment

Tone and Style

The conversation blends scholarly insight with lively, engaging storytelling. Don Wildman’s narration is vivid and evocative (“sweltering summer, July 1940...the noise is deafening”), while Professor Suri’s expertise anchors the historical analysis and on-the-ground perspectives.

Conclusion

This episode comprehensively traces the “unwritten law” of the two-term tradition, the unique crises that broke it, and the enduring consequences of making this restraint constitutional. It offers reflection for contemporary listeners on how limits really function in government, how power is balanced, and how the presidency fits within the broader American experiment.