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Question 37 of 128 American Government

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

Answers USCIS accepts

  • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment
  • To keep the president from becoming too powerful

Give any one of these answers at your interview.

The President can serve only two terms because of the 22nd Amendment, which keeps the president from becoming too powerful.

What it means

George Washington chose to serve only two terms, and later presidents followed his example. After Franklin Roosevelt won four elections, the 22nd Amendment (1951) made the two-term limit law.

Say “because of the 22nd Amendment” or “to keep the president from becoming too powerful.”

Memory tip: 22nd Amendment = 2 terms (22 → two 2s).

Quiz yourself

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

Multiple choice is for study only. The real civics test is spoken: the officer asks, you answer out loud.

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Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: .