Washington’s Two-Term Precedent Key to Keeping Republic

Frank Shatz interviewed author David Alistair Yalof about his new book George Washington and the Two-Term Precedent. Yalof wrote the book prompted by recent discussions about presidents potentially running for more than two terms. The book argues George Washington’s decision to step down after two terms established the crucial precedent for peaceful power transition and preventing a perpetual presidency. Washington believed rotation in office was essential for maintaining a republic rather than a monarchy. Presidents like Jefferson and Truman later upheld the two-term limit, while Grant, Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to run for third terms, though only FDR succeeded. A constitutional amendment now limits presidents to two terms, and changing this rule could harm the republic by encouraging presidents to stay in office indefinitely.