The Presidency: the 22nd and 25th Amendments

Despite the constitutional convention’s tentative rejection of term limits, early presidents establish a custom of two terms (each for their own reasons). After a few presidents flirt with a third (nonconsecutive) term, FDR goes for four, leading Congress to make custom binding. John Tyler takes over for Harrison and starts a custom of his own, but president succession remains unsettled. A later amendment fixes some problems but leaves room for mischief.

Participants: Harry Sandick