Staff Reports
The recent spate of high-profile gaffes and visible confusion from aging politicians has reignited the national debate over age and term limits in American politics. President Joe Biden, now 82, has become the poster child for this discussion, with reports surfacing that his aides have resorted to using fluorescent tape on the floor to guide him at events so he doesn’t lose his way. The image of the leader of the free world needing “breadcrumbs” to find his mark is not just embarrassing—it’s deeply troubling for a country that prides itself on strong, decisive leadership.
Biden’s difficulties aren’t limited to navigation. His repeated verbal missteps, such as confusing Ukraine with Iraq during a recent Harvard appearance and his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in 2024, have raised serious questions about his cognitive fitness for office. These incidents, coupled with reports that he sometimes seemed to think he was “President of NATO,” have only fueled the perception that our highest offices are being held by individuals well past their prime. It’s no wonder that a growing majority of Americans are demanding change, with 79% supporting maximum age limits for federal officials.
The problem isn’t confined to the White House. Congress, too, is packed with career politicians who have been in office for decades, seemingly more interested in clinging to power than serving the people. The likes of Chuck Grassley and Mitch McConnell, who have each logged over 40 years in the Senate, exemplify a political class that has lost touch with everyday Americans. It’s no coincidence that support for congressional term limits is at an all-time high, with 87% of Americans favoring the idea. Yet, despite overwhelming public support, Congress has repeatedly failed to act, proving that self-policing in Washington is a pipe dream.
Republican leaders like Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Ralph Norman are leading the charge for a constitutional amendment to impose term limits, arguing that this is the only way to restore accountability and bring fresh perspectives to government. The Founders never intended for public service to become a lifelong career, and the current system has fostered a culture of complacency, corruption, and unaccountability. Term limits would ensure that lawmakers remain connected to the people they serve and prevent the kind of entrenched power that has led to today’s dysfunction.
It’s time to face reality: America needs new blood in its leadership. The mounting evidence of cognitive decline among our oldest politicians, coupled with the public’s overwhelming support for age and term limits, makes it clear that the status quo is unsustainable. If we want a government that is responsive, energetic, and in touch with the needs of its citizens, we must break the stranglehold of career politicians and ensure that our leaders are up to the task, both mentally and physically. The future of the republic depends on it.
