Cameron Miranda
Former US President Barack Obama has been vocal about his disagreements with current President Donald Trump's administration, including Trump's attempts to serve a third term as US president, which would require changing the constitution. Obama, a Harvard Law School alum, has criticised Trump's efforts to reshape the federal government, immigration and education policies, and intimidate news outlets and the legal establishment. Obama taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 until his election to the US Senate in 2004, with the title of Senior Lecturer. This experience and his subsequent political career have equipped him with a strong understanding of constitutional law, which he could potentially teach to Trump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Barack Obama's profession | Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Constitutional Law Professor |
| Donald Trump's profession | President |
| Obama's teaching experience | Taught courses in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School |
| Trump's teaching experience | None |
| Obama's stance on the constitution | Respects the constitution |
| Trump's stance on the constitution | Wants to serve a third term as US president, which is against the constitution |
| Obama's comments on Trump | Deeply concerned with some of the actions taken by the Trump administration |
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What You'll Learn
Barack Obama's teaching experience
Obama's official title at the University of Chicago was "senior lecturer," which is distinct from the title of "lecturer" and signifies adjunct status. Senior Lecturers are considered members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although they are not full-time or tenure-track. Obama himself has referred to his time as a teacher, saying, "I was a constitutional law professor."
Obama's teaching experience has been a topic of interest and some debate, with some questioning whether he should be referred to as a "constitutional law professor." However, law professors don't typically have formal subspecialties, so any law professor who has taught constitutional law can be called a "constitutional law professor."
Obama's time as a teacher is notable, as it demonstrates his expertise in constitutional law and his ability to impart knowledge to others. It also highlights his commitment to education and the law, even as he pursued a career in politics and public service.
Obama's teaching experience, combined with his legal background and political career, has undoubtedly contributed to his understanding of and respect for the Constitution, which he has emphasized in his public statements.
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Donald Trump's third term as US president
It is important to note that Donald Trump has never explicitly stated that he will run for a third term as US President. However, he has repeatedly teased the idea, with his supporters selling "Trump 2028" merchandise, suggesting that there may be a loophole in the two-term limit imposed by the US Constitution.
The 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice". Changing this would require a two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as approval from three-quarters of the country's state-level governments. While Trump's Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress, they do not have the required majorities. Additionally, the Democratic Party controls 18 of the 50 state legislatures.
Despite this, Trump continues to flirt with the idea of serving until 2033, when he would be 86 years old. His assertion that a third term is a possibility has frozen the 2028 Republican field, with aspiring candidates waiting for clarity on Trump's intentions before announcing their own campaigns. Trump's political adviser suggests that the best way for potential candidates to stay on his good side is to entertain the idea of his third term.
While some of Trump's supporters are on board with the idea, a new national poll suggests that most Americans, including a majority of Republicans, do not want Trump to seek a third term. Democrats have deep objections, with New York Representative Daniel Goldman stating that Trump's ambitions for a third term are "yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy". Some within Trump's party, such as Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, agree that a third term is a bad idea.
In conclusion, while it is legally unlikely that Donald Trump could serve a third term as US President, his continued hints at running have had a significant impact on the political landscape, with potential candidates waiting for his blessing and Democrats voicing strong opposition.
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Obama's criticism of Trump's administration
Barack Obama taught courses in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 until his election to the US Senate in 2004. During this time, he was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996 and a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, teaching three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although they are not full-time or tenure-track.
While Obama has referred to himself as a "constitutional law professor", his official title at the University of Chicago was "senior lecturer". This distinction has been used to criticise Obama's characterisation of his former position, particularly by political opponents such as Hillary Clinton's campaign during the 2008 Democratic primaries.
Obama and Yale faculty members have also criticised Trump's attempts to interfere with Harvard's governance practices, praising Harvard for rejecting federal overreach. Trump threatened to remove Harvard's tax-exempt status and cut $2.3 billion in federal grants after the university refused to adhere to his administration's demands, including banning face masks and closing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Obama urged other universities to defy similar federal attempts to stifle academic freedom.
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Obama's constitutional law professor title
Barack Obama's official title at the University of Chicago Law School was "senior lecturer". However, he has often been referred to as a "constitutional law professor", including by Obama himself. This is because law professors do not have formal subspecialties, so any law professor who has taught constitutional law can be called a "constitutional law professor".
Obama taught courses in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996 and a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004. Senior Lecturers are considered members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although they are not full-time or tenure-track.
During his time as a Senior Lecturer, Obama taught three courses per year. Like the other Senior Lecturers at the Law School, Obama had a high-demand career in politics or public service, which prevented him from teaching full-time. On several occasions, he was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position but declined.
Despite Obama's official title being "senior lecturer", the University of Chicago Law School has stated that he "served as a professor" and was "regarded as" a professor. Ultimately, it is up to each academic institution to designate who is and is not a professor, and there is no rule saying they cannot do so retroactively.
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Trump's supporters' claims of a loophole
In a March 2025 interview, former US President Donald Trump suggested that there were "'methods'" for him to serve a third term as president, alluding to a "loophole" in the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice."
Trump supporters and the former president himself have suggested a legal argument that hinges on the use of the word "elected" in the 22nd Amendment. They argue that the amendment only explicitly prohibits someone from being "elected" more than twice and does not mention "succession." Under this interpretation, Trump could run as the vice-presidential candidate alongside another candidate, such as his former vice president, JD Vance. If they win, the elected candidate could then resign, allowing Trump to become president through succession. This scenario has been referred to as "implausible" and contrary to the "clear intent" of the 22nd Amendment by legal experts.
Additionally, it is important to note that the 12th Amendment, as pointed out by Derek Muller, an election law professor at the University of Notre Dame, states that "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States." This implies that having served two terms as president would disqualify Trump from running as a vice-presidential candidate.
While Trump has not explicitly endorsed this loophole theory, he has stated that there are "a couple of alternatives" being discussed. Trump's potential pursuit of a third term has also faced opposition within his own party, with Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma stating that he would not support an attempt to put Trump back in office.
In a separate context, Trump has utilized loopholes in campaign finance laws to his advantage. After his 2020 election loss, Trump received over $250 million in donations, which he directed towards two political action committees (PACs): Make America Great Again (MAGA) PAC and Save America PAC. By converting his 2020 campaign committee into the MAGA PAC, Trump was able to exploit a loophole that allowed him to use PAC funds for personal expenses, including his extensive legal bills. This loophole in campaign finance law, coupled with lax enforcement, has enabled Trump to continue using donor money to cover his legal expenses, which are estimated to exceed $100 million.
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Frequently asked questions
Barack Obama taught courses in constitutional law at the University of Chicago from 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996 and a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004.
There is no evidence that Donald Trump has ever taught constitutional law.
Yes, Barack Obama has referred to himself as a constitutional law professor, most famously at a March 30, 2007, fundraiser.
Students seemed to like Barack Obama as a teacher. One student described him as a "pretty chill guy who was very smart and demanding."
The 22nd Amendment sets the limit for US presidential terms, stating that "no person... shall be elected more than twice".
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