Presidential Term Limits: Its Origins in the Washington Administration

The concept of presidential term limits dates back to the end of George Washington’s presidency. Washington established several important precedents while president. Until 1940, no president sought more than two consecutive terms in office. He could have remained president for life. The Constitution did not impose term limits on the executive, but Washington was always mindful of preserving the office of the president from any connotations of a monarchy. No one in the Revolutionary generation dared break his precedent of serving no more than two consecutive terms.

The Origin of Presidential Term Limits

He also added a famous line to the oath of office. The Constitution stipulates that the president must take the following oath or affirmation before taking office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Washington attached the phrase “so help me God” to the end of the oath, an addition that remains. Washington would not have trusted anyone who did not call on Providence for assistance in executing the powers of the president.

Though Washington gravitated toward Hamilton in the final years of his administration, he maintained that the Constitution should be followed literally and strictly. He believed Congress should have the ultimate authority on most political matters. He issued the first Proclamation of Thanksgiving and began the process of delivering the “State of the Union” address to Congress in person. This precedent was ignored for more than one hundred years until it was revived by Woodrow Wilson. In his own “State of the Union” addresses Washington did not make any grand requests for appropriations. He simply asked Congress to “consider” measures that he deemed important. They were not required to act on his suggestions.