Rahm Emanuel Proposes Federal Mandatory Retirement Age of 75

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat and potential 2028 White House contender, told a Center for American Progress event that he wants a mandatory retirement age of 75 for presidents, members of Congress, Cabinet officials and the entire federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. Emanuel, 66, said the rule would apply to him as well and argued it should be enacted by statute rather than through a constitutional amendment, even though its constitutionality is uncertain. The proposal would bar President Donald Trump, 79, from continuing in office, would have prevented former President Joe Biden, now 83, from serving his last term, and would force out dozens of lawmakers and older justices such as Clarence Thomas, 77, and Samuel Alito, 75. He framed the idea as part of a broader ethics and anti‑corruption package that would also tighten rules on lobbying, stock trading and gift‑taking by lawmakers and judges, and said Democrats should campaign on it alongside raising the minimum wage. The comments drop directly into an ongoing national debate over the advanced age of top U.S. leaders and whether formal age or competency limits should be imposed on elected officials and life‑tenured judges.