Rahm Emanuel proposes age limits for presidents, members of Congress

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is aiming to push a centrist message as Democrats weigh their options for presidential candidates in 2028, and one of his proposals is to impose an age limit on occupants of the White House.

Emanuel, who most recently served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan, spoke to NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern on Thursday on a host of topics as he purportedly weighs a White House run of his own, and his age limit proposal was part of a widespread ethics package he believes should be tackled in Washington.

In the interview, Emanuel said he would push for legislation to set the limit rather than attempt a constitutional amendment.  

“I think Washington needs a good power cleaning, as part of an ethics package,” he said.

In addition to the presidency, Emanuel would seek to set an age limit on those seeking to run for Congress, as well as those in line to be appointed as federal judges.

“I mean this seriously but we have a problem,” he said. “You have people focused on either using their time in office to make money, and some that have stayed in office so long that 8% of people in the Senate would be impacted (by the proposal).”

His call for an age cap comes former President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump took office in their late 70s.

There are nearly 50 members of Congress who are over 75, from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Two members of the U.S. Supreme Court are also over the age of 75.

Public opinion polls are overwhelmingly supportive for age limits, but Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, another potential White House contender in 2028, isn’t in favor.

“Your age does not determine whether or not you can do a job. It just does not,” he said. “It is the age of your ideas that really matters, and so I think setting some age limit ignores the fact we have some pretty great legislators and people who are in office and doing great things that happen to be over the age that Rahm Emanuel says people should be retired.”

Emanuel said he welcomes debate on the proposal as part of an ongoing dialogue about how to best serve constituents in Washington.

“I’m ready to have a debate about ideas. I’ve been proposing ideas, and I welcome people into it,” he said.

Interestingly, such an age limit would have an impact on Emanuel should he decide to run for president. By the time of the 2028 election, Emanuel will be 68 years of age.

Still, Emanuel said he’s not ready to make any declarations of intent in the years ahead.  

“I haven’t decided yet, and I’m going to continue to look into it,” he said.

He also said the age limit proposal is a reflection of his belief that other families should be the focus of political decisions in the nation’s capital.

“My future’s fine. It’s the kids of America and their families that you should be worried about,” he said.