Rules former US presidents must follow after leaving office

Did you know that even after leaving the White House, former US presidents must still abide by certain rules? The power of the presidency comes with privileges and limitations that stay with them long after their term ends.

Leaving office doesn’t mean an end to these unique restrictions—they’re bound by security protocols and must remain accountable, preserving the dignity of the office.

Here are some surprising things former US presidents still aren’t allowed to do.

1. Term Limits for the Presidency

After Franklin D. Roosevelt’s historic four-term presidency, concerns arose regarding the potential long-term effects of extended presidential terms on American democracy. The unprecedented move prompted a national dialogue as no prior president had served more than two terms.

To address these concerns, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting a president to a maximum of two terms. This constitutional amendment ensures that presidents like Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are ineligible to run for a third term. Conversely, presidents who have served only one term, such as Biden, retain the option to seek re-election.

2. Driving Ban

Perhaps the most surprising rule is that former presidents can’t drive themselves around. This restriction took hold after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, which spurred tighter security measures. Since then, former presidents are always in the company of Secret Service agents, trained to handle defensive and evasive driving. So, don’t expect to see a former US president behind the wheel anytime soon.

3. No free reign on devices

Another limitation is that former presidents can’t just go out and buy any phone, laptop, or tablet they want. For security reasons, every device they use must be approved by the Secret Service. This rule gained attention during Donald Trump’s presidency, as his issues with device security exposed him to hacking attempts, compromising his private communications.

4. No online shopping deliveries

Imagine not being able to order something online and have it delivered to your doorstep. That’s the life of a former US president. The Secret Service screens every package for safety, and deliveries are only allowed after thorough inspection. Back in 2018, this policy prevented any harm when suspicious packages were sent to former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

5. No ownership of presidential gifts

Gifts given to presidents during their time in office don’t belong to them personally. They are considered public property and are held by the National Archives. This rule ensures items of historical value are preserved and available to the public, keeping them safe from private sale or personal profit.

6. No foreign payments or gifts

The Emoluments Clause in the US Constitution prevents former presidents from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments without approval from Congress. This rule is to avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring that they don’t leverage their former status for foreign financial gains.

These are just a few of the surprising, lesser-known rules former presidents must live by, even as they settle into life beyond the presidency.