What is the maximum number of terms a president can serve?

The maximum number of terms a president can serve is two terms. This limitation is established by the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1951. The Amendment was put in place to prevent any individual from holding the presidency for an extended period, reflecting a reaction to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency. It specifically states that no person can be elected to the office of the President more than twice.

This two-term limit aims to promote democratic principles and ensure that power does not become concentrated in one person's hands for too long, allowing for a rotation in leadership and new perspectives in governance. The historical context and the principles behind this amendment emphasize the intention of checks and balances within the framework of U.S. government.